[7] In 2010, without having held elected office before, Kehoe ran for the 6th District State Senate seat to succeed Carl Vogel.

The Constitution of Missouri states "The governor shall fill all vacancies in public offices unless otherwise provided by law, and his appointees shall serve until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified."

[4] As of July 2024, he had raised almost $13 million, receiving significant donations from businesses that bid for state contracts and Rex Sinquefield.

[14][15] Opponents criticized Kehoe for renting a charter bus for the campaign from lobbyist Jewell Patek, whose client Smithfield Foods is owned by Chinese agricultural company WH Group.

[16] After Kehoe won the Republican primary, his campaign received donations from Torch Electronics, which has been in a prolonged legal battle with the state of Missouri over its unregulated slot machines, and Good Day Farms, a cannabis company.

[17] At age 25, Kehoe began working for Osage Industries, a company involved with auto parts and manufacturing ambulances.

[18] After selling Osage Industries in 1992, he purchased an auto dealership in Jefferson City, Missouri, but sold it shortly after entering politics.