JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri's new lieutenant governor said he will be using his office to combat illegal immigration and repeal the abortion initiative. 

Unlike most states, Missouri's lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor, running independently rather than a team. 

David Wasinger is new to politics, saying he didn't meet Gov. Mike Kehoe until after they both won the primary election. He said he ran for the position to take a hammer to the Jefferson City establishment. 

"I'm a conservative outside; I ran to shake things up because I'm not happy with the direction of the state of Missouri, and I'm not happy with the direction of the country," Wasinger said in an exclusive interview with our Missouri Chief Capitol Bureau Reporter Emily Manley. 

Besides being tasked as the elderly advocate for the state, the lieutenant governor oversees tourism and economic development and serves as the ex officio of the state Senate. 

"Having that gavel in your hand carries both as a bullet pulpit and there are some other nuance rules where we will be allowed to push legislation we deem strong," Wasinger said. "We're also very active with tourism, advocating for seniors, the elderly, and most importantly, advocating for our great veterans and putting them on the pedestal they belong."

Wasinger, a lawyer from St. Louis County, campaigned on fixing illegal immigration and protecting life—two things he's determined to get across the finish line. 

"Whether it's legislation or otherwise, executive orders, or anyone in the executive branch wants us to assist in getting the illegal immigration and deporting the illegals, we will be here to help," Wasinger said. 

He said he met with senators this week to talk about a plan forward to challenge the abortion initiative voters approved in November. 

"We intend on working hand in glove to repeal and replace Amendment 3, which should have never passed in the state of Missouri," Wasinger said. "I think because we're building these good relationships, we are going to get good conservative legislation across the finish line and again."

As second in command, he said Kehoe's recent executive orders around public safety will help grow tourism and economic development. Those executive orders include calling for police to apprehend fugitives who have outstanding warrants and tracing immigrants who are in the state illegally and have committed crimes. 

"We certainly will share that in common with public safety and getting this crime under control that's epidemic across the state," Wasinger said. 

Wasinger said he's headed to Washington, D.C., over the weekend to attend President-Elect Trump's inaugural rally on Sunday and his inauguration on Monday. He said he hopes Missouri can help the Trump administration on the topic of illegal immigration going forward.