Sneak Peek

County voters to decide key courthouse positions Tuesday

In a matter of days, political parties throughout Missouri and the nation will select their candidates for the November General Election. But in Clinton County, the August election will carry much more weight. ​

With just one Democrat candidate for local office, most of Clinton County’s open offices will be decided on the Republican ticket. Of the six positions up for grabs, five will be decided by the Grand Old Party on Tuesday, August 4, and none of the six will go to contest in November. 

Just two of the races will be contested on Tuesday. Incumbent Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish will see opposition in the form of Pete Oulman, while incumbent assessor Cindy McClelland Carter is being challenged by Wade Wilken, Jr., the county’s former presiding commissioner. 

​Three offices are uncontested. Neither First District Commissioner Gary McCrea nor longtime Second District Commissioner Larry King filed for reelection, leaving the two seats up to new leadership. Republican candidates Jay Bettis (First District) and Richard Riddell (Second District) will be on Tuesday’s ballot without competition, and with no Democrat challengers in November, both men appear destined for the courthouse. 

​Another uncontested office that’ll be decided on the Republican ticket is that of coroner, as Lee Hanks is again running unopposed. 

With King exiting office, the last Democrat in Clinton County offices at the end of this cycle will be Nancy (Stalder) Wingate, the incumbent public administrator who is running unopposed. 

At the state level, Clinton County will also hold the keys to the Missouri Eighth District State Representative race. Once again, the seat will be decided on the Republican ticket, as no Democrats filed for the office. And the spot is sure to see a new representative, as Dr. Jim Neely – the incumbent – is term limited and not on the ballot. 

Tuesday’s election will pit long-time public servant Randy Railsback, of Hamilton, current Clinton County Clerk David Woody, former Cameron Mayor Darlene Breckenridge and political newcomer Gary Stroud against each other with a trip to Jefferson City on the line. 

Missouri’s Eighth District includes all of Clinton and Caldwell Counties with portions of Clay and Ray Counties. 

​Clinton County will also have its eyes on the gubernatorial race next week, as former Eighth District State Representative Dr. Jim Neely, of Cameron, is a candidate for the Republican nomination. He’ll face stiff competition, as current governor, Republican Mike Parson – who was appointed to the position after the resignation of Eric Greitens – is seeking his first election to the office. Sandra McDowell and Raleigh Ritter are also seeking the Republican nomination.