Ginny Chadwick drops campaign for Boone County Commission

Facing a University of Missouri rule about staff and elected positions, Ginny Chadwick says she will not seek election to the Boone County Commission.

University rules state that in order to hold an elected full-time office on any level, including the county, a staff member must either resign or request a leave of absence as of the filing date. That would apply to Chadwick, who works as a graduate instructor in the Department of Health Sciences.

Chadwick announced her run for commissioner on March 22. At the time, she said she hopes to mend the bridges between the city and county if elected as a county commissioner. She would represent the southern district.

“I hope that we can create more of a partnership between the city and the county, and I know that with me running, that would give the city an opportunity to have a relationship with the county,” said Chadwick.

Chadwick formally served as a Columbia city councilwoman. Back in 2015, she announced she was leaving after less than a year in office.

Chadwick represented the city’s first ward, including parts of downtown and the MU campus.

She faced criticism for voting down a controversial marijuana ordinance and her new law banning cigarette sales for everyone under the age of 21.

“I enjoyed being on council very much. Obviously, there was very controversial issues that I was in the middle of. We got a lot of things done while was on council,” said Chadwick.

Chadwick said she will not formally file with the clerk until the last day to file on March 29.