2018 Missouri State Auditor election
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On November 6, 2018, a general election in the U.S. state of Missouri was held for the post of State Auditor of Missouri. The election for Missouri State Auditor coincided with the U.S. federal midterm elections that were held throughout all 50 states, as well with other state legislative and local races in Missouri. Missouri's Class 1 United States Senate seat was also up for election on November 6, 2018.[1]
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November 6, 2018
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   Galloway: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% McDowell: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 40–50% 50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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The primary elections for this race were held on August 7, 2018. The Democrats nominated incumbent Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway, while the Republicans nominated attorney Saundra McDowell.[2][3]
Galloway won election to a full term.[4][5] Prior to this, Galloway had been appointed to the post by former Governor Jay Nixon in 2015, following the death of Tom Schweich.[6]
Following the Republican victories in the elections on November 8, 2016, for Governor of Missouri, U.S. Senate, Lieutenant Governor, Missouri State Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, Galloway and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill became the only two remaining Democratic statewide officeholders in Missouri.[7] McCaskill's failed re-election campaign in 2018 made Galloway the state's only Democratic statewide officeholder and only female statewide elected official. Her victory also marks the only Democratic win in a statewide election in the state since 2012.[8] As of 2026, this was the last time a Democrat won a statewide election in Missouri.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Nicole Galloway, incumbent state auditor[9]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nicole Galloway (incumbent) | 515,398 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 515,398 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Paul Curtman, state representative[4]
- Saundra McDowell, former director of enforcement in the Missouri Securities Division[11]
- Kevin Roach, Ballwin city alderman and accountant[12]
- David Wasinger, attorney[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Saundra McDowell | 192,814 | 32.6 | |
| Republican | David Wasinger | 158,071 | 26.7 | |
| Republican | Kevin Roach | 143,745 | 24.3 | |
| Republican | Paul Curtman | 97,055 | 16.4 | |
| Total votes | 591,685 | 100.0 | ||
General election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Nicole Galloway (D) |
Saundra McDowell (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Research Group[13][A] | November 1–2, 2018 | 1,424 | ± 2.6% | 49% | 38% | 6%[a] | 7% |
| Remington Research Group[14][A] | October 24–25, 2018 | 1,376 | ± 2.6% | 48% | 38% | 7%[b] | 7% |
| Remington Research Group[15][A] | October 17–18, 2018 | 1,215 | ± 2.7% | 46% | 42% | – | 12% |
| Remington Research Group[16][A] | September 26–27, 2018 | 1,555 | ± 2.5% | 43% | 44% | – | 13% |
| Remington Research Group[17][A] | August 8–9, 2018 | 1,785 | ± 2.3% | 42% | 47% | – | 11% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nicole Galloway (incumbent) | 1,209,881 | 50.41% | +50.41% | |
| Republican | Saundra McDowell | 1,070,701 | 44.61% | −28.72% | |
| Libertarian | Sean O'Toole | 51,304 | 2.14% | −17.58% | |
| Constitution | Jacob Luetkemeyer | 50,951 | 2.12% | −4.84% | |
| Green | Don Fitz | 17,106 | 0.72% | N/A | |
| Independent | Arnie C. AC Dienoff (write-in) | 4 | 0.00% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 2,399,947 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
By congressional district
Despite losing the state, McDowell won five of eight congressional districts, with the remaining three going to Galloway, including one that elected a Republican.[19]
| District | Galloway | McDowell | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 83% | 14% | Lacy Clay |
| 2nd | 54% | 41% | Ann Wagner |
| 3rd | 44% | 49% | Blaine Luetkemeyer |
| 4th | 45% | 50% | Vicky Hartzler |
| 5th | 64% | 31% | Emanuel Cleaver |
| 6th | 43% | 51% | Sam Graves |
| 7th | 39% | 57% | Billy Long |
| 8th | 32% | 64% | Jason Smith |