Tuesday, Dec. 26 was the last day for candidate filing for multiple municipalities in Pettis County, including cities, school boards and first responder districts for the April 2 municipal election.
Filing began Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Ward 1 Councilman Jack Robinson, Ward 2 Councilwoman Tina Boggess, Ward 3 Councilman Bob Hiller and Ward 4 Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster all have terms expiring in April. The four incumbents were the only candidates to file, so there will not be a Sedalia City Council election.
Vice President Sam Kempton and director Cara Barth-Fagan, who was appointed by the board in August to fill a vacancy, have terms expiring in April. Kempton and Barth-Fagan were the only candidates to file, so there will not be a Sedalia Board of Education election.
President Patty Wood and trustee Tom Oldham have terms expiring in April, but only Wood filed for reelection to the board. She will be joined on the ballot by new candidates Jeff Page and Steve Bloess, a Sedalia City Councilman. Page was one of three candidates who ran for an open seat on the SFCC board in March 2021, which was filled by board appointment.
PCAD will have two new board members no matter who wins the municipal election, as the two incumbents did not file for reelection. Mike Brown of District 3 and Steve Davis of District 6 have terms expiring in April but did not file for candidacy. In District 3, newcomers James Sneed and Heath May have filed. There will not be an election for District 6, as only one candidate, Eric West, has filed.
President Keith Rowland’s term is expiring in April. The district could not be reached by press time for a filing update.
Mayor Damain Lemens, East Ward Alderman Edward Saltsgaver and West Ward Alderman Brenda Byrd are all up for reelection in April. The city could not be reached by press time for a filing update.
President Brendan Bass and Vice President Curt Tagtmeyer have terms expiring in April. Bass and Tagtmeyer were the only candidates to file, so there will not be a Smithton Board of Education election.
Mayor Ronnie McNeive, Ward 1 Alderman Fred Armstrong and Ward 2 Alderman David Wessel have terms expiring in April. All three filed for reelection and all three are facing a challenger. McNeive and Paul F. Wilbern, who previously served as mayor and as an alderman, filed for mayor, Armstrong and Austin Simons filed for Ward 1, and Wessel and Christine M. Cook filed for Ward 2.
Vice President Caleb Whitworth and member Barak Knoernschild both have three-year terms expiring in April, while member Rocio Rosales has a two-year term expiring.
Rosales was appointed by the board this year to fill a vacancy created when former President Leah Mahin resigned in June. Rosales was appointed to fill the vacancy until the April 2024 municipal election, which is why a two-year term is available.
Whitworth filed for reelection and newcomer Jason Thompson also filed for a three-year term. New candidate Jason Arnett filed for the two-year term. Knoernschild and Rosales did not file for candidacy. With three seats and three candidates, there will not be a La Monte Board of Education election.
Mayor James Dove, Alderman Tony Turner Sr. and Alderman Justin Tucker have terms expiring in April. Dove was the only candidate to file for mayor, so he will retain his seat for another term. Two candidates, Tucker and former member Charlie Martin, filed for the two alderman positions, so there will not be a Green Ridge City Council or mayoral election.
Vice President Bailey McCollester and Treasurer Tim Dove both have terms expiring in April. The municipal election ballot will include Dove and newcomers Justin Walters and Elizabeth Schleicher.
President Lesa Wyatt and Vice President Linda Harris have terms expiring in April. Three candidates filed for the two seats on the April ballot: Cheryl Elsea, Karina Lopez and Wyatt.
Mayor Courtney March, Alderman Wally Hall and Alderman Brenda Cramer have terms expiring in April. The city could not be reached by press time for a filing update.
Chairman Mike Geml and Vice Chairman Rose Thompson have terms expiring in April. The village could not be reached by press time for a filing updat, but as of Dec. 6, no one had filed.
President Michael Arnett and member Grant Newton have terms expiring in April. The district could not be reached by press time for a filing update, but as of Dec. 6, candidates Newton, Arnett, Crystal Narron and Troy Gorrell had filed.
Nicole Cooke can be reached at 660-530-0138.
