Warrensburg resident Denny Hoskins claimed the Republican bid for Missouri Secretary of State during the Primary Election on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The Associated Press declared Hoskins as the winner just after 10:15 p.m. By night's end, he held holding 24.2% of the vote, equivalent to 149,394 ballots. His nearest competitor, Shane Schoeller of Willard, was 43,164 votes behind with 17.2%
Hoskins compiled 3,964 votes in Johnson County, equivalent to 62.43%.
“I am honored by the support I have received from conservative voters across the state who agree with me that election integrity is of the utmost importance,” Hoskins said in a statement. “I am running because I believe Missouri needs secure elections; we have to ensure that none of the electoral fraud that took place in 2020 and stole the election from President Trump happens here.”
Hoskins is currently serving his second term in the Missouri State senate, representing District 21, which includes Cooper County, Howard County, Lafayette County, Ray County, Saline County and portions of Clay County under its current line drawing.
Hoskins previously served in the MIssouri House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016. In recent years, he has caught statewide attention as a founding member of the Missouri Freedom Cacus.
According to Hoskins’ website, his campaign platform is built on protecting the unborn; protecting election integrity; advocating the removal of critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion in school curriculum; protecting Missouri Farmland and defending the second amendment.
His emphasis on election integrity surrounds eliminating election fraud and protecting elections from international interference from countries like China and Russia.
“I will work hard to eliminate electoral fraud and advocate for a return to secure elections using in-person voting and no machines that can be hacked or sabotaged,” Hoskins said in his statement. ‘The people of Missouri should know that their votes will be counted fairly and accurately, and that will be my top priority as Secretary of State.”
Before entering the world of politics, Hoskins served in the Missouri National Guard, where he received an honorable discharge in 2000.
Hoskins will go up against Democratic nominee Barbara Phifer in the Nov. 5 Presidential Election. She claimed 40.9% of votes, collecting 146,284 overall.
The winner of November's election will replace Jay Ashcroft, who is finishing his second term as Missouri Secretary of State. Ashcroft was a Republican nominee for governor, but conceded to current Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who won the party’s vote Tuesday.
Joe Andrews can be reached at 660-747-8123.
