Crane says he won’t seek reelection as circuit judge; Republican Osete enters race
EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been changed to say Crane is a Republican.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Circuit Judge Kevin Crane said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection next year -- a move that drew a Republican into the race for his seat.
Crane, a Republican who sits on Division 3 of the 13th Judicial Circuit, was elected Boone County prosecuting attorney in 1993 before winning election as judge in 2006. He has sat on the bench ever since.
"Having had the privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Boone and Callaway Counties over the last 34 years, it is now time to do something else,” Crane said in a news release from the 13th Judicial Circuit.
Judge Stephanie Morrell, a Democrat, has filed paperwork to run for Crane's seat.
Jefferson City-based attorney and Columbia resident Jesus Osete has also filed MEC paperwork to run for a circuit judge seat in the 13th Circuit.
Not long after Crane's announcement, Osete said in a news release that he will seek the Division 3 seat. Osete's experience includes deputy attorney general and work in the U.S. Senate and Missouri Secretary of State's Office. He touted his American dream story as the grandson of an immigrant in announcing his campaign.
“Only in America can the immigrant grandson of a mechanic have the opportunity to uphold the Constitution at the highest court in the land,” Osete said. “In the coming months, I look forward to persuading voters why they should give me the opportunity to uphold the Constitution as a judge.”
Osete had about $27,000 in his campaign fund on Nov. 22, according to fundraising reports.
Circuit judges serve six-year terms. Crane ran unopposed in 2018. Morrell had $94.25 in her campaign account as of the last MEC report on Oct. 5.
Along with the Division 3 seat, voters in Boone and Callaway counties will elect the Division 1 judge as well. Circuit Judge Brouck Jacobs, who currently holds the seat, told ABC 17 News he planned on running for another term in 2024.
