Missouri Republican lawmaker mounts primary challenge to Treasurer Malek in 2024

Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson, will face a challenge in the GOP primary for the 2024 election.

House Budget Committee Chair Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican, announced on Thursday that he was jumping into the race against Malek, the first person of color to hold statewide office in Missouri.

“As a small business owner and realtor for over 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand the consequences of government red tape and crippling taxes,” Smith said in a statement. “I ran for state representative to fight government overreach, and today I’m ready to take this fight statewide.”

Smith, first elected to the House in 2016, vowed to “protect taxpayers from the woke liberals who want to bankrupt our businesses and families” as treasurer. The Republican serves as chair of the powerful House Budget Committee, which oversees the state budget.

This year, Smith moved to strip state funding from public libraries in retaliation for a lawsuit challenging a new state law that bans certain materials in school libraries. The move was ultimately voted down in the Senate.

Smith, as budget chair, also helped negotiate Parson’s push last year to lower the state’s individual income tax rate.

“I’m proud to have championed the largest income tax cut in Missouri history, as well as saved millions in taxpayer dollars by reducing our debt,” he said in a statement.

Smith is the first Republican to mount a challenge against Malek, who has never held elected office. Malek took office in January after his GOP predecessor, Scott Fitzpatrick, was elected state auditor.

Malek was born and raised in India and immigrated to Missouri in 2001. He previously owned and operated his own law firm in Wildwood, a St. Louis suburb.

Malek, in a statement Thursday, touted his record and said it’s an honor to serve as treasurer.

“My office has been working hard for the people of Missouri, including setting a new record in returning millions in unclaimed money and property to its rightful owners,” he said. “I am a proud fiscal conservative, and I look forward to earning the opportunity from Republican voters next August to be the Republican nominee for State Treasurer.”

Smith’s entry into the race marks the second time a Parson appointee will face a Republican primary challenger, illustrating a push by Republicans to capitalize on their lack of political experience.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey, another Parson appointee with no prior elected experience, faces a challenge from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Scharf.