Quade tells supporters that fight against Missouri Republicans continues even after campaign defeat

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade told supporters Tuesday night in her concession speech that their work is not over even though they didn't take the Governor's Mansion.

Quade addressed her supporters in Springfield after The Associated Press called the gubernatorial race for Republican Mike Kehoe.

"They know that we are coming for them," Quade said of Republicans in Jefferson City. "The work continues on tomorrow morning and the day after that and the day after that. And so Missouri is a place that every single person can thrive in regardless of who they are, where they live or who they love. This will be a state that we are all proud of."

Results show Quade held 39% of the vote, compared to Kehoe's 59%.

A group of roughly 100 people showed up to show their support for Quade Tuesday night. Her supporters sent her off with a standing ovation and chants of "Crystal Quade" shortly after she finished her speech.

Democratic candidate for Missouri House of Representatives District 137 Bryce Lockwood shared similar sentiments to Quade, saying some democratic wins in state races would be a win.

"I think it's going to be generally a good night if we do nothing else but if we could just get three legislative districts won for the democrats tonight that will at least break the super majority in the House," Lockwood said.

Garrett Yelvington is a senior at Conway High School in Conway, Missouri who said he found Quade's fight to take over the governor's mansion inspiring.

"Her being a leader and wanting and fighting for Missouri, fighting for change really inspires me because it inspires me to be the leader in my community to make change, want change and inspire others," Yelvington said.

Quade has served as Minority House Floor Leader for six years in the Missouri House of Representatives. Her campaign hosted a watch party at the Teamster Local 245 Hall in Springfield, Missouri, Tuesday night.

According to Quade's campaign manager Andrew Storey, the campaign spent Tuesday morning knocking on doors and speaking with voters in Springfield. Quade was expected to vote in the afternoon, according to Storey.

Kehoe was favored in the race, according to polls aggregated by 538.

Quade told ABC 17 News in July, that she'd like to see the state look at ways that average Missourians could save money, supports fully staffing law enforcement in the state and believes public tax dollars should go to public institutions.

As far as abortion goes, Quade supports abortion rights and supports Missourians having the ability to pass Amendment 3, which would end the state's near total ban on abortion.

In a statement sent to ABC 17 News, Quade thanked those who took to the polls and voted to pass Amendment 3.

"I’m proud of and thankful for the hundreds of thousands of Missourians who gathered signatures, talked to their neighbors,  worked, and voted to restore our reproductive freedom," the statement reads.

Quade also said she spoke with Kehoe Tuesday night to congratulate him.