Republican state legislative candidates battle for nominations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Term limits and, in one case, a job opportunity have left seats open in three major Mid-Missouri Senate districts.
In the House, Republicans are also flocking to races that don't have an incumbent.
Below we've listed some of the most important, contested General Assembly races in Mid-Missouri.
Senate District 6
With current state Sen. Mike Bernskoetter vacating the seat because of term limits, a large Republican field has emerged in Senate District 6.
The district takes in Cole County and much of the Lake of the Ozarks area, comprising the counties of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Camden and Miller.
Two Jefferson City candidates are running -- Jake Vogel and Derrick Spicer. Two former lawmakers -- Rudy Veit and Dr. Lisa Thomas, are seeking the seat, along with outgoing Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton and Amber Buckles of Macks Creek.
The winner will take on Democrat J. Don Salcedo in November.
Senate District 10
The elongated Tenth District covers Callaway and Montgomery counties, but also stretches to the Illinois border.
The seat is open, with former Sen. Travis Fitzwater leaving early to take a job. The race has drawn fewer candidates -- two Republicans and two Democrats. On the Republican side, state Rep. Tricia Byrnes will try to overcome Montgomery City judge Mike Deering.
On the Democratic side, voters will choose between John Wells of Holts Summit and Pablo John Los of Hermann.
Senate District 18
The 18th District covers Missouri's northeastern corner, incorporating Audrain, Randolph, Macon and Monroe counties in Mid-Missouri.
The seat has been held by Sen. Cindy O'Laughlin, who is vacating it because of term limits. Her absence has drawn three Republicans and two Democrats to the race.
State Rep. Ed Lewis is one of the Republicans -- he's joined by Dusty Blue of Mexico and Greg Sharpe of Ewing.
The Democrats are Nick Miller of Mexico and John Leykamp of Centralia.
House District 59
The 59th House District covers Cole County outside of Jefferson City.
The area has been represented for eight years by Wardsville's Rudy Veit, who is seeking a seat in the state Senate because of term limits. Voters will have familiar names to choose from in the Republican primary -- former Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin, Blair Oaks School Board member Glenn Reynolds and Vic Rackers, who is active in local Republican politics.
Becky Kroll of Lohman is the only Democrat running.
House District 60
House District 60 covers much of Jefferson City, and has been represented for eight years by Republican Dave Griffith.
Griffith is term-limited out of office, having already served four terms, leaving the seat open. The vacated office has drawn three Republicans -- former Jefferson City Council member Scott Spencer, lifelong Jefferson City resident Shane Kampeter and Missouri Senate staffer Kyerra Johnson.
The winner will take on Democrat Suzanne Luther in November.
House District 61
House District 61 covers part of Montgomery and Miller counties and nearly all of Gasconade and Osage counties.
Incumbent Republican Bruce Sassmann of Bland is running for a fourth and final term representing the seat. He is being challenged by John Grady of Rosebud.
Stacy Bax of Linn is the only Democrat seeking the seat.
House District 124
With incumbent Rep. Don Mayhew term-limited out of the House, the 124th District Republican nomination is between three candidates: Tony Laszacs of Laquey, Chris Webery and Kevin Onstott, each of Iberia.
Democrat Tara Hallmark of Dixon will appear on her party's ballot.
The 124th District covers most of Miller and Pulaskis.
