Some county races on August ballot will decide officeholders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
In counties across Mid-Missouri, who controls an office for the next term is likely to be decided on Aug. 4.
While multiple parties will have primary elections that day, many offices only have candidates from one party seeking the seat.
Audrain County
Audrain County voters will get to decide the holders of two offices this August.
Three Republicans are running for county clerk to replace incumbent Lisa Smith: Stacey Higbee, Brandie Gay and Heather Lierheimer.
Two Republicans are running for treasurer: one of them is current County Clerk Lisa Smith. The other is Tiffnay Burts, an assistant in the clerk's office.
Boone County
One contested Democratic Party race will decide the likely winner of the November election, while a Democratic primary for a judgeship will determine who will take on a Republican in the general election.
The county auditor seat is the only seat where more than one Democrat is running, without any Republicans throwing their names in the race. Incumbent Kyle Rieman will try to fend off a challenge from fellow Democrat Allen Bel-Long.
In the race for Division 9 circuit judge, Democrats Bill Ellis and Spencer S. Smith are running for the seat being vacated by Tracy Gonzalez. The winner will face Republican James Egan in November.
Callaway County
The Callaway County ballot features one Republican contested race, which will likely decide the seat's ultimate winner.
Three Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for presiding commissioner: Larry Robinson, Rob Barnes and former sheriff Clay Chism. The winner will face Democrat Mike Conner, the only Democrat on the ballot, in November.
Camden County
Four county races will be decided in August after only Republicans sought the seats.
One is county clerk, a matchup between incumbent Rowland A. Todd and Kit Roupe. Incumbent Republican Prosecutor Richelle Grosvenor will face a challenge from Lynne A. Brand in the GOP race, which will determine the winner in November.
Incumbent Republican Collector Teresa Murray is being challenged by fellow GOPer Lincoln McGuire in a race that will decide the office. Three Republicans are running for county auditor -- incumbent Jimmy Laughlin is running against Kris Franken and Madeline Kincaid. No Democrats filed.
A crowded Republican primary will help set up the race for presiding commissioner in the fall. Six Republicans -- Kathy Campbell, Nick Sherrell, Nathan Patton, Bill Walker, Christina Hankinson and Don Barrett -- are vying for the nomination after Republican Ike Skelton decided not to see reelection.
The winner between two Democrats -- Mike McDuffey and Daniel Ousley -- will vie for their party's nomination for presiding commission to take on the Republican winner in November.
Cole County
Cole County voters will pick Republican nominees in contested races for a judgeship, county clerk and the presiding commissioner's seat who will face no Democrats in November.
Judge Cotton Walker is being challenged for his Division 3 seat by Jeff Suddy.
Two former lawmakers are big players in the other two contested Republican county-level primaries. State Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, who represents Jefferson City in the Missouri Senate, is taking on Paul Dupuis in the GOP presiding commissioner primary.
Outgoing state Rep. Dave Griffith is running for the Republican nomination for county clerk against Jeff Ahlers.
Howard County
The name of Howard County's next presiding commissioner is likely to be decided in August, instead of November, as two Republicans are the only ones seeking the seat.
Jared Wies will try to unseat Jerimiah Johnmeyer is a race that will determine who holds the seat in the next term.
Maries County
Two contested Republican primaries will decide seats this August, while Democrats are the only people to file for two other seats.
Incumbent Republican Presiding Commissioner Vic Stratman will try to fend off a challenge from Shannon W. Thompson. Prosecuting Attorney Tony Skouby is being challenged by Kathleen Slone.
On the Democratic ballot, Mark A. Buschmann is the only candidate in the race for circuit court clerk, while Rhonda Rodgers is the only person running for county clerk.
Miller County
No Democrat will appear for a county seat on the August ballot.
Instead, the associate circuit judge, presiding commissioner, recorder of deeds and county treasurer races will be decided among Republicans this August.
In the commissioner race, Neil R. Atkinson will take on Lynn Wilson.
For circuit judge, Gerard "Jay" Harms Jr. and Kevin C. Shelton face off on the Republican ballot.
Incumbent Recorder of Deeds Kathy "Kate" Plemmons faces a challenge from Shelby Scott.
And for county treasurer, Mindy Robison-Kampeter will take on Lori Tillman.
Moniteau County
The county will pick the Republican who will likely be its next presiding commissioner on Aug. 4.
Incumbent Joe Lutz will try to fend off a challenge from James Bonecutter. It's the only contested county office in the primary, and no Democrats have filed, so the winner is likely to take the November election, too.
Montgomery County
Two county races will be contested on the Republican side of the ballot.
Incumbent Presiding Commissioner Ryan D. Poston is being challenged by Harry Cope on the August ballot. Two Republicans -- Morgan DeTienne and Lacy M. Fischer -- are running for circuit court clerk.
No Democrats filed in those races.
Osage County
Osage County voters will select their next presiding commissioner this August.
The only candidates running for the seat are two Republicans -- incumbent Darryl Griffin and challenger John Glavin.
Pettis County
Republicans in Pettis County will get to pick two county officeholders this summer.
The circuit clerk race and the contest for county clerk are the only ones to draw multiple candidates, and no Democrat filed for any county political office.
A new Republican circuit clerk will be elected, with either Dena Perkins or Lexi Winfrey filling the open seat.
The county will also have a Republican county clerk, with Sherry Jo Painter-Torres and Jessi Capkovic running for the open seat.
Phelps County
Phelps County voters will see one contested primary race that will determine the holder of the office.
Republicans Joshua Meyer, Lauri Kean and Lori Lunceford will run for the open seat. No Democrats have filed.
Pulaski County
The next presiding commissioner, county clerk and prosecuting attorney will all be decided in August in Pulaski County.
Only Republican candidates filed for those three seats.
GOP Presiding Commissioner Gene Newkirk is running against Rob Goodrich; Republicans Whitney Medlen, Dustin Robertson and Glen Askeland are seeking the county clerk seat; and Republicans Henry Surkamp and Jeff Thomas are running for prosecuting attorney.
Only one candidate has filed to be circuit clerk -- Democrat Rachelle Beasley.
Randolph County
Only one contested race appears for county offices -- the Republican primary for circuit clerk. Michelle Chapman is running against Sandy Dutton, and no Democrats filed for the seat.
