Candidate filing deadline passes in Missouri

Harry Loomis, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read

Mar. 26—The deadline for candidates to file for the August primary in Missouri closed Tuesday evening.

In Buchanan County, several candidates will claim their offices outright because they are running unopposed. Dean Wilson will remain county assessor, and David Gall will remain county treasurer. Scott Burnham will also hold his seat as eastern district commissioner. Brad Haggard will become the new public administrator as incumbent Annette Bertelsen did not file for reelection.

The only contested race in Buchanan County is between Democrat Ron Hook and Republican Everett Goddard Jr. for the role of western district commissioner.

"I take most pride in the work we do out on the roads, in the county and things in the community," Hook said. "We're not just subject to road work and things that my guys do at the barn. We have other aspects of the job that pertain to the whole community."

"I want to improve the quality in the western district, including some of the roads and keeping Buchanan County money in Buchanan County," Goddard Jr. said. "I'd also like to work with the county residents, come together with us and the other commissioners to try to make our community better."

In local districts, Republicans Dean VanSchoiack and Brenda Shields will hold their seats, as they ran uncontested.

Bill Falkner will run against Democrat Andrew Gibson in District 10. Republican Sean Pouche will run against Democrat Andrea Denning in District 13.

Two of the Fifth Circuit's judges will remain on the bench in Buchanan County as no one filed to oppose them. Republican Kate Schaefer retains her seat in Division 1, and Democrat Dan Kellogg will remain in the Division 4 courtroom.

In Division 3, Republicans Monica Morrey and Terry White will face off in the August primary for a chance to replace the retiring Judge Patrick K. Robb.

In the election for state Senate, Republican Josh Hawley will go directly to the November ballot, where he will face off against one of the Democratic candidates, Karla May, December Harmon, Lucas Kunce and Mita Biswas. Libertarian W.C. Young will also run uncontested.

In District 6, Republican candidates for state representative include Freddie Griffin Jr., Brandon Kleinmeyer, Sam Graves and Weldon Wray Woodward. Running as Democrats are Rich Gold and Pam May. Lastly, Andy Maidment will run alone as a Libertarian.