Marion County Voters to Decide Key Local and State Races in August 6 Primary
By Mike Scott
Marion County voters have several important local decisions to make in the August 6 primary election. In the race for Eastern District Commissioner, incumbent Larry Welch faces challenger Michael J. Dobson on the Republican ticket. The Western District Commissioner race is a four-way contest between Wes Tuley, Ron Anderson, Lacey Miller, and Eddie Bogue. Bill Goellner is the sole Democrat seeking the office of Commissioner in the Western District.
Several local Republicans are running unopposed, including John J. Jackson for Circuit Judge, Jimmy Shinn for Sheriff, Mark Novak for Assessor, Richard (Rick) Jones for Coroner, Jason D. Janes for Surveyor, and Wendy W. Howe for Public Administrator. Incumbent Republican Louis Riggs is seeking re-election as Fifth District State Representative.
The race for Missouri’s next governor is competitive, with Democratic candidates Eric Morrison, Crystal Quade, Sheryl Gladney, Hollis L. Laster, and Mike Hamra on the ballot. The Republican primary includes nine contenders: Darrell Leon McClanahan III, Jeremy Gundel, Bill Eigel, Robert James Olson, John R. (Jay) Ashcroft, Mike Kehoe, Chris Wright, Darren L. Grant, and Amber Thomsen. Bill Slantz represents the Libertarian Party.
For Lieutenant Governor, Democrats Richard Brown and Anastasia Syes are competing, while six Republicans—Holly Rehder, Dave Wasinger, Lincoln Hough, Paul Berry III, Tim Baker, and Matthew E. Porter— are also in the race, along with Libertarian Ken Iverson.
The Secretary of State race features three Democrats—Monique Williams, Barbara Phifer, and Hayley Jacobson—and eight Republicans—Valentina Gomez, Shane Schoeller, Denny Hoskins, Adam J. Schwadron, Jamie Corley, Dean Plocher, Mary Elizabeth Coleman, and Mike Carter. Carl Herman Freese is the Libertarian candidate.
Elad Jonathan Gross is the sole Democratic candidate for Attorney General. Incumbent Republican Andrew Bailey faces challenger Will Scharf, with Ryan L. Munro running as a Libertarian.
For State Treasurer, Democrat Mark Osmack and six Republicans— Cody Smith, Andrew Koenig, Lori Rook, Vivek Malek, Tina Goodrick, and Karan Pujji—are competing, with John A. Hartwig Jr. representing the Libertarian Party.
In federal races, incumbent U.S. Senator Josh Hawley is unchallenged in the Republican primary. Democrats Karla May, December L. Harmon, Lucas Kunce, and Mita Biswas are in the running, with Libertarian W.C. Young also on the ballot. Incumbent U.S. Representative Sam Graves faces three Republican challengers: Freddie Griffin Jr., Brandn Kleinmeyer, and Weldon Wray Woodward. On the Democratic side, Rich Gold and Pam May are competing, with Andy Maidment running unopposed as a Libertarian.
Voters will also decide on two Constitutional Amendments: Amendment 1, which would exempt certain childcare-providing organizations and businesses from property tax, and Amendment 2, which pertains to funding for the Kansas City police department. Additionally, voters in the Monroe City Area Fire Protection District will vote on a levy of up to 35 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to provide operating funds for the district.
