A key Missouri Republican being called a conservative fighter is on track to become the state’s next GOP Party chairman. Former western Missouri U.S. Attorney Todd Graves has been chosen by Governor-elect Eric Greitens to lead the party. Graves wants to reach more minorities, if he’s elected.
Photo courtesy of Graves Garrett LLC
“Things that are relevant, I would assume, are jobs and security and the same issues that are relevant to all other Missourians,” says Graves.
Graves served as U.S. attorney from 2001-2006 under then-President George W. Bush. In 1994, he was elected as Platte County prosecuting attorney and re-elected in 1998, an office that he held until his U.S. Attorney appointment. He is currently a partner at Graves-Garrett law firm in Kansas City.
Graves also wants to focus on increasing the number of Republican voters in the state’s suburban areas.
“Increasingly, the rural areas have been really strong for Republicans in Missouri. The suburban areas have softened a little bit,” says Graves. “In the suburban areas, regulatory reform is important to them and that dovetails with agriculture issues and tax issues. Just having a growing economy. We haven’t had a growing economy in this country for eight years and if we can get that going again, that’s going to resonate with voters.”
Graves does not anticipate he’ll have anyone challenge him for the top spot. Governors have historically chosen the chair of their political party.
A Republican state committee will vote on its next chairman in January. Graves would succeed John Hancock, who did not seek re-election.
If elected, Graves says he will serve on a part-time volunteer basis.
He is the brother of northern Missouri Republican Congressman Sam Graves.
