Democratic representatives sweep the Boone County Commission race
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
UPDATE:
Newcomer Justin Aldred beats out incumbent Fred Parry 25,361 to 22,830 for the Boone County Commission Southern District seat.
Justin Aldred says he plans to learn all that he can in order to support the community.
"I'm hoping to create a boone county commission that is open, honest and transparent and represents the voices of it's community," Aldred said.
Incumbent candidate Janet Thompson beats out Tristan Asbury 20,665 to 18,200 for the Boone County Commission Northern District seat.
Janet Thompson was not immediately available for comment.
ORIGINAL:
Two political newcomers are attempting to reshape the party makeup of the Boone County Commission.
Democrat Justin Aldred hopes to defeat incumbent Republican Fred Parry for the Southern District Boone County Commission seat. In the Northern District, Republican Tristan Asbury is challenging incumbent Democrat Janet Thompson.
Aldred is a former Missouri special projects coordinator for the state auditor's office and Missouri Army National Guard officer. He lives in Ashland and graduated from the University of Missouri and Wentworth Military Academy.
According to his website, Aldred believes the county commission should do more to increase access to affordable health insurance, increase its commitment to using renewable energy resources and expand Medicaid.
Parry is a former chairman of Boone Hospital Center board of trustees and a volunteer commissioner for the Columbia Housing Authority. He was elected in 2016. Parry lives in Columbia and graduated from the University of Missouri as well.
According to Parry's website, he believes in creating economic opportunity in Boone County, the construction of affordable housing, bringing control of the hospital back to the citizens of Boone County and creating bright futures for Boone County youth.
Asbury is a small business owner and strategic communications director for the Missouri Association of Realtors. He lives in Columbia and graduated from Central Methodist University.
According to his website, Asbury wants to direct county resources toward economic development and infrastructure, streamline regulations and open up better communication from the commission.
Thompson served as an assistant public defender for almost 25 years. Thompson lives in rural Boone County and graduated from the University of Missouri. She was first elected in 2012 and is seeking her third term.
According to her website, Thompson wants to collect taxes on remote sales, improve services while streamlining the budget and bring residents universal access to broadband internet services.
Stay with ABC 17 News for updates on this race.