ST. LOUIS—Days after his bid to become chair of the Missouri Republican Party fell short, former State Senator and 2024 gubernatorial candidate Bill Eigel confirmed in a radio interview on Monday that he’ll run for St. Charles County Executive in 2026.

Eigel, of Weldon Spring, had already acknowledged that the contest was one of several possible avenues he was considering. He would join a Republican primary field that will include County Council Chair Mike Elam and Lake St. Louis Mayor Jason Law. Former State Senator Chuck Gross also has an active campaign finance committee established through the Missouri Ethics Commission but could not be reached for comment.

No Democrats have filed paperwork with the ethics commission to raise money for a campaign.

The incumbent, Republican Steve Ehlmann, has decided not to seek re-election.

Eigel finished second to then-Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in the Republican primary for governor last August. 

This past weekend, former Lt.. Gov. Peter Kinder, Kehoe’s endorsed candidate for Missouri GOP chairman, was elected to the post over Eigel.