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0000017b-27e8-d2e5-a37b-7fffd9f70000On November 8, Missourians chose their next governor, determined races for U.S. congressional seats and several for the Missouri statehouse. In addition, voters decided among five proposed changes to the Missouri constitution.See the election results here, and view our coverage below on the local candidates and issues. Post election, we're continuing to add to our coverage with related content.

With Win, AG-Elect Hawley Says Political Establishment's Days are Numbered

Josh Hawley
Han Zhao
/
KSMU

Josh Hawley has declared victory in his quest for Missouri’s next attorney general, celebrating with supporters Tuesday night in Springfield.

At the time of the remarks, with 70 percent of precincts reporting, the Republican candidate led Democratic opponent and prosecutor Teresa Hensley by close to 30 points. 

“I am pleased to say that we believe we have won this race tonight,” stated Hawley.

Hawley, a constitutional law professor from Columbia, delivered his remarks at Metropolitan Grill in east Springfield. He later delivered remarks at a GOP watch party on Springfield's north side. Hawley promised to be an advocate for farmers and teachers and to clean up the state’s politics.

“And I want to say this to the political establishment in Jefferson City, those of you consultants and the lobbyists and the professional political class who have got used to running our state, your day is over,” urged Hawley.

On the campaign trail, Hawley touted his role as part of the legal team that successfully prosecuted the “Hobby Lobby case.’’ The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Hobby Lobby, which challenged the mandate in the Affordable Care Act for employers to include contraceptive coverage in the insurance they provide employees.

Hawley on Tuesday night highlighted the principles his office will be guided by.

“We as Americans we’ve always been united not by blood and not by ethnicity, we are united by the things of the spirit. We are united by our belief that we are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and those are the ideals that will inform the purpose of my administration and I will fight for every day,” declared Hawley.

Hawley will succeed Democrat Chris Koster, who earlier Tuesday conceded his run for governor to Republican Eric Greitens.

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