Incumbent Republican Peter Kinder faced Democratic nominee and former state auditor Susan Montee, Libertarian Matthew Copple, and the Constitution Party nominee, former state representative Cynthia Davis.

Kinder had been considered the front-runner in the 2012 Republican Gubernatorial primary,[1] however after various controversies emerged, he decided to run for re-election.

His decision was also influenced by St. Louis businessman and multimillionaire Dave Spence unexpectedly declaring to run for governor and pledging to put much of his own money into the race.

[2] Kinder defeated all other candidates to become the first Missouri Lieutenant Governor to be elected to a third term since Frank Gaines Harris, who served from January 1933 to December 1944.

Libertarian Matthew Copple and Constitution Party candidate Cynthia L. Davis garnered 2.8 and 2.4 percent, respectively.