Vivek Malek

Malek is definitely getting a crash course in Missouri politics this summer.

After Gov. Mike Parson appointed him to the treasurer’s office after Scott Fitzpatrick became state auditor, Malek is running for a full four-year term against five other GOP candidates in the Aug. 6 primary: House Budget Chairman Cody Smith, state Sen. Andrew Koenig, Springfield resident Lori Rook, St. Joseph resident Tina Goodrick and Berkeley resident Karan Pujji.

Malek has raised by far the most money for the statewide contest that typically flies below the radar. He’s making the case that he’s done a capable enough job thus far in office, including returning record amounts of unclaimed property and expanding a program called MoBUCK$ that provides low-interest loans to certain businesses.

“When I became treasurer, my whole purpose was to do the job — not to get the job,” Malek said. “I have done great in my professional career and the business that I had. And now it was time for me to take some time off from my regular occupation, come to this field, and do my service as a public servant with a servant’s heart.”