Republican candidates for Missouri treasurer are taking aim at what they say is bureaucratic bloat, taxes and government waste, and if elected, they vow to put the state on a strict diet.
More responsible budgeting is in order at state universities and within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, they say, but some want more spending for elementary and secondary education, training and school choice.
Six Republican candidates, including the incumbent, are vying in the Aug. 6 primary for the job of Missouri treasurer, the state’s chief financial officer. They are current Treasurer Vivek Malek; Springfield attorney and political newcomer Lori Rook; Sen. Andrew Koenig and Rep. Cody Smith, both of whom are term-limited; Karan Pujji, a two-time former candidate for state representative; and Tina Goodrick, a substitute teacher and 2020 candidate for state representative.
Three of the candidates had more than $500,000 to spend on their campaigns including incumbent Vivek Malek’s $1.6 million. Lori Rook self-funded her first $500,000. State Rep. Cody Smith had raised $722,667, with $330,889 cash on hand according to the April 15 reporting period. New reports are due July 15.
The winner of the Aug. 6 primary goes on to the general election Nov. 5. Democrat Mark Osmack, of Manchester will face the winner of the GOP primary. John Hartwig Jr., of Clayton, is the Libertarian candidate.
What does the state treasurer do?
The state treasurer manages Missouri’s $20 billion in annual state revenues, directs its banking services and oversees its $6.5 billion investment portfolio. The treasurer safeguards Unclaimed Property that has been turned over by banks, businesses, insurance companies and government agencies, and aggressively tries to locate the owners. The state treasurer also serves on the management boards of a number of public entities. It is one of six statewide elected officials, and may serve two terms of four years each.
Lori Rook is a newcomer to politics
Springfield attorney Lori Rook considers herself a full-time advocate as owner of Ozarks Elder Law, helping seniors, business owners, farmers and families of special needs individuals take steps to protect everything they have built while limiting government intrusion.
Now she hopes her business experience and financial advocacy will take her to Jefferson City as Missouri’s next state treasurer.
Rook is a newcomer to politics and a self-described political outsider. She said she doesn’t have the backing of any special interest groups — “I don’t owe anybody anything,” she told the Hauxeda. She self-funded her campaign with $500,000; additional private donations brought her funds to $537,964, and she had $506,978 on hand as of April 2024, according to campaign finance reports. Quarterly campaign finance reports are due July 15.
Her three main goals: transparency, advocacy and a proactive approach. “As the owner of the firm and managing member, I know what it takes to get through tough times, lead a team and work proactively instead of reactively. Right now, Missouri needs leadership that believes in transparency and a hands-on proactive approach to our revenues and investments,” Rook said. She takes particular aim at state lawmakers including her own GOP colleagues for using the current state budget “to fund hidden agendas and woke lobbyists.”
The southwest Missouri native attended Nixa schools, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Missouri State University and her law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. She has practiced law for almost 18 years, and as owner of Ozarks Elder Law for the last 12 years has expanded it from one office to nine offices and eight attorneys. She specializes in estate planning, asset protection, and business succession planning for Missouri families, farms and other businesses.
Rook and her husband Ryan and three children.
As treasurer, the candidate vows to “invest more in neighbors and not our enemies.” Among other things, she is concerned that some of the low-interest loans through the state treasurer’s MOBucks program could enrich foreign investors/owners of Missouri farmland and operations. Rook believes the treasurer’s website should reveal exactly who is getting those popular loans.
She declares on her website lorirook.com, “Missouri money has been used to invest in China and other foreign adversaries. This is due to weak leaders who can't say no to the lobbyists. I will make all investments visible and ensure every dollar is invested in safe American companies.”
Incumbent Vivek Malek leads fundraising
Here is a brief introduction to the other GOP candidates, followed by responses to questions posed via email by the Hauxeda.
Vivek Malek, current state treasurer, was sworn in by Gov. Mike Parson in January 2023 after then-Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick became state auditor. His term ends in January 2025 and he is eligible to run for two, four-year terms.
Malek moved to Cape Girardeau from India in 2001 to attend Southeast Missouri State University. He practiced immigration law in St. Louis until his appointment. Malek describes himself as a Constitutional, social and fiscal conservative, pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. According to the latest reports, his campaign had raised $1,634,670 and cash on hand was $1,299,681.
Quarterly campaign finance reports are due on July 15.
Andrew Koenig, of Manchester, has served in the Missouri Senate since 2016, representing District 15 which includes a large portion of southwest and west St. Louis County. He is term-limited. He served in the House of Representatives from 2009-2016. Koenig owns a construction company that does painting, and he is a licensed insurance adjuster. He counts among his credits passing the state's first income tax cut in nearly 100 years, and cutting the state's corporate income tax for the first time in history. As of the April 15 reporting period, his campaign had raised $196,743, with $114,065 cash on hand.
Cody Smith, of Carthage, completes his eighth year serving in the Missouri House of Representatives for part of Jasper County, District 163, and is termed-limited. He served as chair of the House Budget Committee and chair of the Missouri General Assembly Joint Committee on Legislative Research. Smith owns a company that uses technology to prevent infectious diseases from spreading in health care facilities. He has been a member of the National Association of Realtors for 11 years. His campaign had raised $722,667, with $330,889 cash on hand according to the April 15 reporting period.
Karan Pujji, of Berkeley in St. Louis County, ran for the House of Representatives in 2018 and 2020. He has spent most of his career in various areas of the health care industry. He founded a company focused on managing medical practices, and later diagnostic laboratory services. He has also worked in the area of orthopedic and prosthetic bracing. Pujji says he comes from “a proud and decorated Indian family of aviators, entrepreneurs and community servants.” As of the April quarterly reporting period, Pujji had not filed any campaign financial data with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Tina Goodrick, of St. Joseph, is a substitute teacher at Andrew County Schools in Savannah, and was a 2020 candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives. She has volunteered for a number of both charitable and political causes. She served as a field organizer for the Missouri Republican Party, and is founder and president of Northwest Missouri Conservatives PAC. As of the April 15 reporting period, her campaign had raised $1,010, with $445 cash on hand.
Goodrick did not respond to a Hauxeda questionnaire sent to all candidates.
Q. What job or skills have prepared you as State Treasurer to manage Missouri’s $20 billion in annual revenues and oversee its $6.5 billion investment portfolio?
Vivek Malek: I’m not a politician. I came to this office after building a successful small business over the course of fifteen years, and I worked hard to get to this point, putting myself through college and earning both an MBA and a law degree. I know how important it is to invest responsibly, and I put my knowledge to work serving Missouri taxpayers.
Lori Rook: For the last 18 years, I have been advocating for Missourians as an attorney. As an elder law attorney, I have spent the last 12 years fighting and planning for seniors, farmers, families, business owners, veterans and those with special needs. I have helped them protect everything they have built while limiting government intrusion. As the owner of the firm and managing member, I know what it takes to get through tough times, lead a team and work proactively instead of reactively. Right now Missouri needs leadership that believes in transparency and a hands-on proactive approach to our revenues and investments. When it comes to investments, we cannot be investing in third parties that are working against us or promoting a harmful agenda. On the spending front, the theme in Missouri seems to be “how can we keep spending more” or “taking more” instead of “how can we do better and be more efficient with what we have.” This is the approach I take with my business and this is the approach I would bring to Missouri. I believe our elected officials have a fiduciary obligation to do what's best for Missouri — not a third party investing in their campaign.
Andrew Koenig: My family values are important to me. I have five kids; two of them my wife and I adopted through the foster care (system). I’m a small business owner who has handled millions of dollars in the insurance industry as an adjuster and know what it’s like to have to balance the budget. Through my years in the legislature, I have been chairman of Ways and Means … (this committee is in charge of tax policy). As chairman of Ways and Means I have been effective at pushing conservative policy and no one has cut more taxes in the history of the state of Missouri than I have. I have been effective at cutting taxes for working families, eliminating corporate welfare, cutting government waste and supporting a balanced budget.
Cody Smith: I am a small business owner with extensive experience in banking, real estate, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, I have served in the Missouri House of Representatives as the Chairman of the Budget Committee for the last six years. I believe my experience in business, combined with my public service as one of the foremost experts on Missouri's finances, makes me uniquely qualified to be the next Missouri State Treasurer.
Karan Pujji: Over the years, I have built a robust background in finance and public administration. I have served as a lender and as a private advisor for real estate equity investment trusts. These roles have given me extensive experience in managing large budgets and investment portfolios. My skills in risk management, strategic planning, and financial analysis are essential for overseeing Missouri's substantial revenues and investments.
Q. What do you believe are the biggest threats to Missouri’s economy, and how should the state, through the Treasurer’s office, address them?
Vivek Malek: By far, China is the biggest threat to our economy. For too long, politicians have allowed communist China to steal jobs, manufacturing, technology, and now even agriculture. I am proud to have led the fight to divest state retirement funds from Chinese companies, and I will continue pushing for our state to keep taxpayer money from going to support our enemies.
Lori Rook: The two biggest threats to Missouri's economy are the border crisis and overreach by the federal government. Missouri has roughly 65,000 illegal immigrants which is a financial burden on law enforcement, our hospitals, and our education system. The fentanyl crisis coming in from the border is killing our children. Missouri accepts more federal dollars than any other state and over the last five years our budget has more than doubled. In order to eliminate waste and demonstrate the burden, the treasurer's office needs to demonstrate real transparency as to where the money is being spent. The multi-subject (legislative) bills and line items are out of hand and are a huge contributing factor to the ballooned budget. There is zero accountability because there is zero transparency. The special interest groups and lobbyists are out of control and until we reign things in, Missouri's budget is going to continue to work for them instead of the people.
Andrew Koenig: During the 2008 recession Missouri's revenue dropped significantly and became dangerously close to not meeting Missouri's financial obligations. As State Treasurer, I will work to keep money in a rainy-day fund, cut government waste and support a balanced budget.
Cody Smith: Our biggest economic threat is inflation caused by reckless fiscal policies in Washington, D.C. As State Treasurer, I would fight this with conservative management of state finances, advocacy for sound economic policies, and prudent investment strategies that would combat inflationary pressures.
Karan Pujji: The biggest threats to Missouri's economy include inflation, unemployment, and industry shifts due to technological advancements. To address these, the Treasurer’s office should implement strategic investment strategies that prioritize stable, long-term growth. We should also support small businesses through grants and loan programs and enhance workforce development programs to ensure our workforce is adaptable to industry changes. By focusing on these areas, we can mitigate risks and promote economic stability.
Q. What are your priorities for the 2026 state budget?
Vivek Malek: I have worked hard to reduce expenses, and I was able to return 10% of my office budget to the state during my first year in office. I will seek to do the same in the future.
Lori Rook: The treasurer is the chief financial officer for the state and oversees Missouri's investments. The treasurer does not set the budget, however; the treasurer is responsible for ensuring the money is spent accordingly and by increasing transparency, I believe I can effectuate a reduction. It's undeniable that our budget is out of hand and there are too many line items and special interests taking priority. … We are not being good stewards of Missouri's dollars and to demonstrate this I am going to bring transparency and accountability to the budget.
Andrew Koenig: Missouri's Department of Education is a bloated bureaucracy, and I will work to cut it. As State Treasurer, I will work to expand school choice so every parent can send their child to a school of their choice. I will work at eliminating corporate welfare, cutting government waste and supporting a balanced budget.
Cody Smith: I believe that every state budget should prioritize public safety, transportation Infrastructure, and education.
Karan Pujji: My priorities for the 2026 state budget include increasing funding for education, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable development. It's essential to allocate resources effectively to areas that will have the greatest long-term benefit for all Missourians. This includes investing in our schools to ensure a quality education for all children, upgrading our transportation and utilities infrastructure to support economic growth, and promoting a sustainable future.
Q. What are three goals you would bring to the office if elected?
Vivek Malek: If elected for a full term, I will continue my work to expand MO Scholars to ensure more families across our state have access to educational choices, grow the MOBucks program to ensure more farmers, ranchers, and small businesses can access low-interest loans which has been especially helpful during a time of high interest rates and out-of-control inflation, and ensure no taxpayer money is invested in China or any other adversary nation.
Lori Rook: My top three goals are: transparency, accountability and a proactive approach. I have set up a website that will serve as a one stop shop show where Missouri's money is really being spent by the department and where we are really investing our money. … As far as being proactive, we have a duty to protect our seniors from scammers and promote financial literacy with our children. I will expand the financial literacy program to include seniors to educate and arm them with tools to combat fraud and scams. There has been a huge uptick in fraud amongst seniors — particularly with AI and it is financially wiping out Missourians.
Andrew Koenig: I sponsored and passed the first income tax cut for Missouri families in nearly 100 years. I will continue to work so that hard-working Missourians are able to keep more of their own money. I sponsored Missouri’s heartbeat bill making Missouri the first abortion-free state in the country. I will work with the governor and legislature to keep Missouri abortion-free except to save the life of the mother. I have passed a bill that would make the State Treasurer's office more transparent and will implement this transparency so taxpayers will know where their money is being spent.
Cody Smith: 1) I will conduct an internal audit of the State Treasurer's Office to ensure that policies and procedures are compliant with state law and make sure that taxpayer funds aren't being invested in funds that proliferate woke ideology through environmental social governance (ESG) or to support enemies of the United States like China. 2) I will launch an initiative to increase transparency around the collection and expenditure of taxpayer dollars. 3) I will get to work fostering and promoting MO Scholars, Missouri's first statewide school choice program. I am proud to have played a role in passing legislation that created and expanded this program. However, it has been underutilized due to a lack of public awareness. I'm excited to get to work and give it the attention it deserves.
Karan Pujji: 1) Enhance financial literacy: Launch initiatives to improve financial education across the state, ensuring all citizens have the knowledge to manage their finances effectively. 2) Boost economic growth: Develop and implement policies that attract businesses to Missouri, create jobs, and stimulate economic development. 3) Strengthen investment strategies: Ensure the state's investment portfolio is managed with a focus on long-term growth and sustainability, balancing risk and reward effectively.
Q. What are your views on the question of reforming personal property and real estate taxes?
Vivek Malek: I think there need to be commonsense limits on the growth of property taxes. I support the legislation that was passed in 2023 allowing a property tax freeze for all seniors, and I supported this year’s fix for the bill ensuring all seniors can have access, rather than just those who receive Social Security benefits. I believe that every county should adopt this program, as no senior citizen should have to worry that they will lose their home because they cannot afford skyrocketing property tax bills.
Lori Rook: I am a proponent of less taxes and I believe by increasing transparency as to Missouri's finances we will find more opportunities to do this by eliminating wasteful spending.
Andrew Koenig: I support cutting taxes and reforming real estate taxes. It is not right to have to rent your property from the government or for seniors to have to sell their home in order to pay their taxes. I have voted to freeze real estate taxes on seniors and have voted to cut or eliminate personal property taxes.
Cody Smith: Missouri is in need of wide-ranging tax reform. We should start by completely eliminating our state's income tax in order to compete with states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. I am proud to have played a role in starting that process by passing the largest tax cut in Missouri history, but we have more work to do. Additionally, I believe we should reform our personal property and real estate taxes. Missourians should not be forced to pay property taxes in perpetuity.
Karan Pujji: Reforming personal property and real estate taxes is a complex issue that demands careful consideration. I advocate for a fair and balanced tax system that provides relief to taxpayers while ensuring sufficient revenue for essential public services. Prioritizing tax reforms that promote equity and economic growth is crucial. Any changes must be implemented in a way that does not disproportionately impact low-income families or essential services. Additionally, we should eliminate the personal property tax. Why do we have to pay for something twice?
Q. The state’s MOST 529 Savings Account enables families to invest to pay for their children’s college and post-high school tuition. What other initiatives should Missouri offer to help families plan for and afford higher education costs?
Vivek Malek: If elected, I will keep working to encourage more families to take advantage of the MOST 529 plan. However, I also think that we need to advocate for more responsible budgeting at state universities, which are growing their endowments and constantly building lavish new facilities while raising tuition. As a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors, I fought against irresponsible spending proposals and advocated for fiscal responsibility, which will avoid tuition increases while focusing on education quality, not extravagant new amenities.
Lori Rook: No response.
Andrew Koenig: No response.
Cody Smith: Missouri already offers a variety of scholarships to help curb higher education costs. They work well because the money follows the student and I believe we should model our K-12 funding in the same way.
Karan Pujji: In addition to the MOST 529 Savings Account, Missouri should consider initiatives such as offering state-funded scholarships, creating education savings matching programs, and increasing funding for community colleges and vocational training. These measures can provide more options and support for families planning for higher education expenses. By expanding financial aid and support programs, we can make higher education more accessible and affordable for all Missourians.
When, where and how to vote (click to open)
When: Missouri’s primary election will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. across the state.
Where: Find your polling location on the Secretary of State’s website or the Greene County’s Clerk’s website.
How: You must be registered to vote, and show an acceptable form of identification to receive a ballot. Voters can request an absentee ballot through the Greene County Clerk’s Office, or vote in-person absentee in the two weeks prior to the election.
