Peter Kinder
Peter D. Kinder (b. May 12, 1954, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri) is a former Republican lieutenant governor of Missouri. In that capacity, he also served as president of the Missouri State Senate. He was first elected to the statewide office in 2004, and won re-election to a third term on November 6, 2012.[1]
Kinder was scheduled to come up for re-election to a possible fourth term as lieutenant governor in 2016. Instead, he announced at a press conference in Dellwood on July 12, 2015, that he would run for governor instead.[2] He was defeated in the August 2, 2016, Republican primary election.
In February 2025, Kinder was elected by party membership to serve as chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.[3]
Biography
Kinder was born and raised in Cape Girardeau and attended public schools there. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri at Columbia. He graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas in 1979 and was admitted to the Missouri bar in 1980.[4]
After law school, Kinder served as a staff member of Congressman Bill Emerson in Washington, D.C. from 1980 to 1983. He returned to Missouri and worked as an attorney and real estate specialist for hotel developer Charles Drury. In 1987 Kinder became associate publisher of the Southeast Missourian newspaper, where he wrote weekly columns and editorials.[4]
Education
- J.D., Saint Mary's University, School of Law, Texas, 1979[4]
Political career
Lieutenant Governor (2004-2017)
In 2004, Kinder won election as Missouri's Lieutenant Governor, defeating Democrat Bekki Cook. He re-elected in 2008 and 2012. He sought re-election in 2016, but was defeated in the Republican primary.[4]
Despite having launched an exploratory committee in September 2013, Kinder announced on November 1, 2013, that he would not challenge Rep. Jason Smith for the Republican nomination to Missouri's 8th Congressional District.[5]
Healthcare lawsuit
In July 2010, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder filed a lawsuit, with three other Missouri residents, challenging the federal health care law. The suit asserted concerns about violation of the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, and creates unfunded mandates for the state. It contained eight counts. While many Republicans backed the lawsuit politically, there looked to be legal hurdles for the suit. One analyst told Missouri Watchdog he expected at least half of the claims would be dismissed.[6]
Kinder filed a memorandum in opposition to the attempts by the federal government to dismiss his constitutional challenge. Kinder said the move by the U.S. Department of Justice to try and get his lawsuit in federal court dismissed was a "desperate ploy."[7]
Reaction to Cuccinelli's results
Kinder commended U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson in Virginia for his ruling that the mandate to buy health insurance — a key provision of the federal health care reform law — was unconstitutional.
“Today’s ruling is a victory not only for the people of the United States, but also for the freedoms we hold so dear,” Kinder said. Judge Hudson found that the federal government could not force individuals to buy health insurance. “Judge Hudson’s ruling confirms what many of us believed to be true nearly one year ago; that Congress overstepped their authority in mandating that every American purchase health insurance,” Kinder said. He said that the ruling boosted the efforts of 20 states that would soon after bring similar legal arguments before another federal judge in Florida.[8]
Errors in time records
A audit report in December 2010 claimed that staff members in Kinder's office failed to verify the mathematical accuracy of time sheets. They also did not get independent approval of purchase transactions. The information was not verified when time sheets were approved, according to the audit report released by Missouri Auditor Susan Montee. In one instance, auditors uncovered 32 hours of used compensatory time that was added to the balance instead of subtracted, resulting in an overstatement of 64 hours. For one employee, the time sheet sick leave balance was 10 hours greater than the balance on SAM II, the state’s integrated financial, human resources and payroll system. “To help ensure mathematical accuracy, the office should consider an electronic time sheet which calculates the ending balance for leave and compensatory time,” according to the late 2010 audit report. “In addition, leave slips should be reconciled to time sheets, and time sheet leave balances should be reconciled to SAM II balances on a periodic basis.”[9]
Relationship with former Penthouse model
During his first gubernatorial race in 2011, Kinder took a "selfie" with a former stripper, Tammy Chapman, in a St. Louis bar known for its "pantsless parties." Amid the ensuing controversy, it came to light that Kinder had frequented a strip club during his time as a state senator.[10] According to Chapman, Kinder showered her with gifts and letters, but his affections were not reciprocated. She claimed that Kinder became "aggressive" with her, leading her to cut off contact with him. In 2011, Chapman encountered him in a St. Louis bar where she worked. Chapman and the bartender claim that Kinder asked Chapman to come live with him in an apartment that was paid for by his campaign. Chapman declined, telling Kinder that she was gay. Kinder reportedly left after taking a picture with Chapman.[10][11]
Repayment of taxpayer money used for personal business
In 2011, the St. Louis Dispatch reported that Kinder had used approximately $35,000 of taxpayer money on personal trips, including sporting events, social galas, and several tea party rallies. Without admitting any wrongdoing, Kinder agreed to pay the state $35,000 to reimburse the cost of the travel in question.[10][12]
Missouri State Senate (1992-2004)
In 1992 Kinder made his first bid for public office, winning election to a seat in the Missouri State Senate representing Cape Girardeau and surrounding counties. Kinder was re-elected in 1996 and 2000. He considered running for state auditor in 1998, attorney general in 2000, and governor in 2004, but ultimately passed each time. When the Republicans gained a majority in the Missouri Senate following a round of special elections in February 2001, Kinder became President Pro Tempore, the top official in the Missouri Senate.
Elections
2016
- See also: Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016
Kinder declined to seek re-election as lieutenant governor of Missouri in 2016 and instead ran for governor. He was defeated in the August 2, 2016, Republican primary election.
Other Republicans who had also declared for the office included former State Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway, Navy SEAL and nonprofit CEO Eric Greitens, and businessman John Brunner.[13] The four candidates engaged in an expensive and contentious primary election that included ads opposing each other and acrimonious debates.
Eric Greitens defeated John Brunner, Peter Kinder, and Catherine Hanaway in the Missouri Republican primary for governor.
| Missouri Republican primary for governor, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Eric Greitens |
34.56% | 236,481 |
| John Brunner | 24.79% | 169,620 |
| Peter Kinder | 20.70% | 141,629 |
| Catherine Hanaway | 19.95% | 136,521 |
| Total Votes (3214 of 3214 precincts reporting) | 684,251 | |
| Source: Missouri Secretary of State | ||
On July 12, 2015, Kinder announced his 2016 candidacy for Missouri Governor during a press conference in Dellwood, Missouri, a town nearby Ferguson, which was the site of the 2014 protests over the death of Michael Brown. Kinder's gubernatorial bid marked the end of his tenure as the state's lieutenant governor after three terms serving in the position. The governor's seat was open in 2016 because Gov. Jay Nixon (D) had reached his term limit.[2]
Comments on Ferguson Protests
Setting the stage for his campaign, Kinder's announcement emphasized the need for ethics reform and accused Gov. Nixon of failed leadership in the wake of Ferguson. He also pledged: "No more Fergusons. Never again...will we allow our streets to be undefended and our businesses to be undefended. Never again will we turn over those streets to criminals, the vandals, the looters, and those who throw firebombs."[2]
Prior to his formal announcement, Kinder attended a rally in St. Louis and accused President Barack Obama of joining in the "incitement of the mob." He also alleged that the U.S. Department of Justice was "staffed with Marxists and black radicals."[14]
Campaign finance
Endorsements
| Key endorsements, Republican primary candidates (1 of 2) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catherine Hanaway | Eric Greitens | ||||||||
| State Senate President Pro Tempore Tom Dempsey (R) | State Rep. Jay Barnes (R) | ||||||||
| Former U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R) | State Rep. Kirk Mathews (R) | ||||||||
| State Senate Majority Leader Ron Richard (R) | State Rep. Nate Walker (R) | ||||||||
| Missouri Right to Life | State Rep. Bill White (R) | ||||||||
| South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) | Ben Carson | ||||||||
| What is a key endorsement? | |||||||||
| Key endorsements, Republican primary candidates (2 of 2) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Kinder | John Brunner | ||||||||
| Rush Limbaugh | Missouri Right to Life PAC | ||||||||
| Missouri Right to Life PAC | Former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee (R) | ||||||||
| Missouri Eagle Forum | U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R) | ||||||||
| What is a key endorsement? | |||||||||
2014
In September 2013, Kinder announced he was launching an exploratory for the U.S. House, representing Missouri's 8th District. However, on November 1, 2013, Kinder reconsidered and announced that he would not challenge Rep. Jason Smith for the Republican nomination. "After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to end the month-long, exploratory phase on an 8th District congressional candidacy by forgoing a race in 2014," Kinder said.[5]
2013
Kinder was a potential candidate in the 2013 special election for the U.S. House, representing Missouri's 8th District. The election was held to replace Jo Ann Emerson. The general election took place June 4th.[15]
There was no primary election, instead each party's nomination was chosen by a committee. Kinder wrote a letter stating the following to the committee members: "I have always been a team player. Numerous times, I have put our party above personal ambition. I spent countless years taking and building a Republican majority in both the Senate and the House. I have bowed out of races when I felt it would divide the party or undermine our chances to win. We need a congressman committed to ensure conservative Republicans represent every corner of this district in the state House and state Senate."[16] Jason T. Smith was selected by the GOP to be their nominee in the general election.[17][18]
2012
Kinder was considered to be the Republican frontrunner for governor in 2012, but, following a controversy where he was photographed with an ex-stripper in a bar, announced he would not be running. Kinder instead sought re-election as Lieutenant Governor.[19] He narrowly defeated Brad Lager in the Republican primary on August 7th and defeated Susan Montee (D), Matthew Copple (L) and Constitution Party candidate Cynthia Davis in the general election on November 6, 2012.[20]
- Primary
| Missouri Lieutenant Governor Republican Primary, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Peter Kinder Incumbent |
43.8% | 255,064 | ||
| Brad Lager | 41.2% | 239,735 | ||
| Mike Carter | 8.2% | 47,515 | ||
| Charles W. Kullmann | 6.9% | 39,940 | ||
| Total Votes | 582,254 | |||
| Election results via Missouri Secretary of State. | ||||
Endorsements
- Rush Limbaugh[21]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Kinder narrowly won re-election as Lieutenant Governor.[22]
| Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Peter Kinder Incumbent |
49.9% | 1,403,706 | |
| Democratic | Sam Page | 47.3% | 1,331,177 | |
| Libertarian | Teddy Fleck | 1.8% | 49,862 | |
| Constitution | James C. Rensing | 1% | 29,153 | |
| Total Votes | 2,813,898 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Peter Kinder Missouri Governor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Missouri | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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Governor of Missouri
Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
External links
- Peter Kinder Lieutenant Governor of Missouri
- Official campaign website
- Campaign contributions: 1996-2012
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Peter Kinder on Facebook
- Peter Kinder YouTube channel
- Peter Kinder on Flickr
- Peter Kinder on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "November 6, 2012 General Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 'MissouriNet, "Kinder criticizes Nixon, remembers Schweich in announcing run for Missouri governor," July 13, 2015
- ↑ STLPR, "Former Missouri Lt. Gov. Kinder wins race for state Republican Party chairman," February 1, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Peter Kinder Campaign, "About," accessed August 8, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Southeast Missourian, "Kinder won't run for Congress in 2014," accessed November 4, 2013
- ↑ Missouri Watchdog, "Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder files suit against federal health care law," July 8, 2010
- ↑ Missouri Watchdog, "Kinder counters federal challenge to health care lawsuit," January 26, 2011
- ↑ "Kinder praises ruling on federal health care law," Missouri Watchdog, December 13, 2010
- ↑ "Audit uncovers errors in office of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder," Missouri Watchdog, December 23, 2010
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Daily Kos, "That guy who took the selfie with the stripper at the 'pantsless party' bar is running for governor," accessed August 8, 2015
- ↑ Riverfront Times, "Penthouse Pet Dishes on Peter Kinder: 'He Was One of My Best Customers'," accessed August 8, 2015
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Peter Kinder will repay Missouri for hotel bills in St. Louis," accessed August 8, 2015
- ↑ Jason Hancock, The Kansas City Star, "Missouri Republican governor candidates to debate tonight," November 3, 2015
- ↑ St. Louis Post Dispatch, "Police representative says DOJ's 'band of marauders' concealed truth about Ferguson shooting," accessed March 28, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson to resign from House," December 3, 2012
- ↑ Southeast Missourian, "House leader Smith, Lt. Gov. Kinder seek 8th District nomination," January 4, 2013
- ↑ Southeast Missourian, "House leader Smith, Lt. Gov. Kinder seek 8th District nomination," January 4, 2013
- ↑ Washington Post, "Republicans nominate Jason Smith for Missouri special election," February 9, 2013
- ↑ St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Peter Kinder drops out of governor's race," November 19, 2011
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "November 6, 2012 General Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ St. Louis Today, "Rush Limbaugh radio ad endorses Peter Kinder," June 29, 2012
- ↑ Missouri Secretary of State, "November 4, 2008 general election results," December 10, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joe Maxwell (D) |
Lieutenant Governor of Missouri 2005-2017 |
Succeeded by Mike Parson (R) |
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State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital) |
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