County races forming as filing for August Primary underway

SIKESTON — Filing for the Aug. 6 Primary Elections just began Tuesday, Feb. 27, and races are already forming in some counties.

In Scott County, offices up for election are first and second district commissioners, sheriff, assessor, public administrator and coroner.

According to Scott County Clerk Allen Seabaugh, first-day filers selected a number by random draw to determine their placement on the ballot. After the first day, candidates are placed on their respective party ballot in the order in which they file. The Primary Election sets up a political party’s sole candidate for the General Election which is Nov. 5.

Filing on the first day on the Republican ballot in the race for Scott County sheriff, were: incumbent Wesley C. “Wes” Drury, Derick Wheetley and Hunter Juden.

Filing on the Republic ballot for first district commissioner — a position currently held by Terry Cole and represents the southern half of the county — were Will Watson and Michael Williams.

Several individuals filed on the Republican ballot on the first day in the race for second district commissioner, which is currently held by Donnie Kiefer and represents the northern half of the county. Filing were Joshua Glastetter, Randy W. Senciboy, Chase Asmus, Steve Minner and Robert “Bob” Graviett.

Two candidates have filed on the Republican ballot for coroner: John Cody Caudle and incumbent Scott Branam.

Also filing on the Republican ticket were incumbents Carla Essner for assessor and Karen R. Dirnberger for public administrator.

No candidates filed with the Democratic Party or any other party on the first day of filing in Scott County.

Offices/positions open on the ballot in Mississippi County are assessor, first district commissioner, second district commissioner, public administrator, coroner and sheriff.

First-day filings were all of the incumbents: Lisa Finley-Norton, assessor; Mitch Pullen, first district commissioner; Darrell Jones, second district commissioner; Missy Davis, public administrator; Terry Parker, coroner; and Britton Ferrell, sheriff, according to Amanda J. Olin, deputy county clerk for Mississippi County. All filed with the Republican Party except for Parker who opted for the Democratic Party.

In New Madrid County, positions up for election are public administrator; assessor; sheriff; first and second district commissioners; coroner; and committee men and women.

According to New Madrid County Clerk Amy Brown, everyone who filed on the first day did so with the Republican Party. Filing for sheriff were Joey Higgerson and Chris Hensley. Also filing on Tuesday were incumbents Paula Scobey, public administrator; Jacob Johnson, assessor; Bobby Aycock, first district commissioner; Mike Kellams, second district commissioner; and George DeLisle, coroner.

Filing for committeemen were Ernest Minehart, St. John Township; Fred Hartman, New Madrid Ward 3, New Madrid Township 08; Jonathan Riggs, New Madrid Ward 2, New Madrid Township 08; Robert Lavalle, New Madrid Ward 1, New Madrid Township 08; and Richard Henry- Lewis Township 07.

Filing for committeewomen were Alice Swilley, Lafont Township 05; Angela Lunbeck, Portageville Ward 1, Portage Township 09; Cheryl Burch, New Madrid Township 08; Cindy Minehart, St. John Township; Gabrielle Hodgkiss, Morehouse Ward 1, West Township 11; Lori Brotherton, New Madrid Ward 2, New Madrid Township 08; Margaret Hartman, New Madrid Ward 3, New Madrid Township 08; and Virginia Henry, Lewis Township 07.

The last day to file for the Aug. 6 election is March 26.