Matt Blunt Republican Jay Nixon Democratic The 2008 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2008.

Incumbent Republican Governor Matt Blunt decided to retire instead of seeking reelection to a second term in office.

Despite John McCain narrowly carrying the state in the concurrent presidential election, Democratic nominee Jay Nixon won the open seat, defeating Republican nominee Kenny Hulshof in a landslide.

[2] On November 10, 2007, Democrat Jay Nixon filed the necessary paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission to launch a 2008 campaign for governor.

When combined with heavily populated, strong Democratic areas like St. Louis and Kansas City, Hulshof didn't have a chance to come back.