Missouri voters on Tuesday delivered a clear rebuke to two major measures closely associated with Gov. Mike Kehoe, rejecting an ambitious plan to phase out the state individual income tax and overturning a legislative change to how ballot initiative majorities are calculated. The twin defeats mark a significant political setback for the governor and reshape the landscape heading into November’s high-stakes referendum on abortion.
What the votes mean for Kehoe’s agenda
Kehoe had championed the measure that became Amendment 5, which would have set the state on a path toward eliminating the individual income tax—an effort that served as the centerpiece of his policy goals this year. Voters rejected the proposal by a wide margin, placing it among the worst-performing constitutional amendments in Missouri in more than a century.
Separately, lawmakers advanced a change to the constitutional amendment process in a special session last year at Kehoe’s urging. That proposal, which appeared on the ballot as Amendment 4, would have altered how majority thresholds are calculated for citizen-led constitutional amendments. Voters also turned that down, handing another defeat tied directly to the governor’s agenda and the Republican-controlled legislature that pushed it through.
Political consequences and the path to November
With November’s ballot already set to include Amendment 3—a measure that would make abortion illegal in nearly all circumstances—Kehoe’s political influence will be tested again. The governor and his wife, Claudia Kehoe, have backed the campaign in favor of that amendment; Claudia Kehoe serves as treasurer for the political action committee Her Health, Her Future, which is leading the pro-Amendment 3 fundraising and outreach.
Fundraising reports show that Her Health, Her Future has raised about $1.1 million so far. Opposition to the abortion measure, organized under the committee Stop the Ban, has reported significantly larger resources, totaling roughly $6.5 million, including a recent $1.25 million contribution from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
| Item | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Her Health, Her Future (pro-Amendment 3) | $1.1 million |
| Stop the Ban (anti-Amendment 3) | $6.5 million (includes $1.25M from Bloomberg) |
| Kehoe approval (Feb poll) | 47% approve / 42% disapprove |
| Kehoe approval (one year earlier) | 50% approve / 31% disapprove |
| Kehoe’s 2024 general election result | 59% of the vote |
Broader readings of voter sentiment
Political observers are parsing whether Tuesday’s results reflect rejection of specific policy proposals or broader unease with the governor’s broader priorities. Veteran Capitol reporter and state historian Bob Priddy warned that the ramifications could endure well beyond the immediate electoral cycle.
"The repercussions from these two votes are going to last more than two years," said Bob Priddy, longtime Capitol correspondent and Missouri historian.
Priddy added that incumbents of both parties should take notice, suggesting the results could reshape Republican campaigning strategies heading into 2028.
Polling and public opinion trends
The recent vote comes amid signs that Kehoe’s approval ratings have narrowed. A St. Louis University/YouGov poll conducted in February found 47% of likely voters approved of his job performance while 42% disapproved. The same survey conducted roughly a year earlier reported higher approval — 50% — and lower disapproval at 31%.
Kehoe’s 2024 victory margin, when he captured 59% of the vote, remains a benchmark for his political strength. Still, the twin defeats underscore the volatility of public sentiment on high-profile policy shifts, particularly those that touch taxes and constitutional rules.
What’s next
With the November ballot dominated by the abortion amendment, the campaign environment in Missouri is likely to be intense. The fundraising gap between pro- and anti-Amendment 3 committees, as reported so far, could shape the scope of advertising, grassroots mobilization and outreach efforts in the coming months.
- Voters rejected Amendment 5, a plan tied to eliminating the individual income tax.
- Amendment 4, which would have changed initiative majority calculations, also failed.
- Attention now shifts to Amendment 3, where campaign funds and messaging will be critical ahead of November.
As campaigns pivot to the next phase, the consequences of Tuesday’s votes will be watched by state leaders and political operatives alike for clues about Missouri voters’ priorities and the viability of ambitious policy proposals.
Gabriela Montez is the WE NEWS state correspondent covering Missouri politics.
