Ashcroft putting political office on hold

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft says he's putting life in public office on hold.

Ashcroft is ending his second term after losing the Republican primary for governor last summer. A spokesman for his office confirmed that Ashcroft told the Missouri Independent this week that he has no plans to seek another public office.

Ashcroft, the son of former Missouri governor and U.S. attorney general John Ashcroft, was elected to the secretary of state post in 2016 and won re-election in 2020.

“I don’t have any intention to run for office again,” Ashcroft told The Independent.

Ashcroft, who was in southwest Missouri with family Tuesday, was not available for an interview on Christmas Eve.

His wife, Katie Ashcroft, will work as chief of staff for the incoming lieutenant governor, Dave Wasinger.