In the Aug. 4 Primary Election, voters will be asked to choose between either Dena Klein Perkins or Lexi Winfrey for Pettis County Circuit Clerk on the Republican ballot.
The candidates answered a series of questions for the Democrat to help readers get to know them better.
Why are you running for office?
Klein Perkins: Our current Circuit Clerk, Susan Sadler, is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. I have had the privilege of working alongside Susan as a supervisor for the past 20 years, and I want to continue leading our team. We have a great team here in Pettis County.
I have dedicated my career to serving the people of Pettis County, and I'm running to ensure the office continues to operate efficiently, respectfully, and with the high standard of service our community has come to expect. I have the experience, knowledge, and commitment to lead the office and provide a smooth transition for our courts and the public.
Winfrey: I have spent the last several years with the Office of State Courts Administrator, a division of the Missouri Supreme Court, training clerks around the state. I am ready to bring my experience home to serve the citizens of Pettis County.
What are your qualifications?
Klein Perkins: I bring 23 years of hands-on experience in the Pettis County Circuit Clerk's Office, including more than 20 years in a supervisory role. During that time, I've built strong working relationships with our judges, attorneys, law enforcement, county officials, and court staff. Those relationships are important to keeping the judicial system operating efficiently from day one.
Before joining the Circuit Clerk's Office, I worked for 14 years as a legal secretary for local attorneys. I also earned an Associate's degree from State Fair Community College and a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri.
My education, experience, and leadership have prepared me to serve as your next Circuit Clerk.
Winfrey: I began working in the Missouri Judiciary in 2015 as a temporary scanner in a grant funded position and soon after became a traffic clerk. I worked hard and was promoted to a Principal Court Clerk in a supervisory role. I loved the work and applied with the Office of State Courts Administrator and was hired working with the juvenile courts across the state. I managed grants and worked closely with the Circuit Court Budget Committee, Family Court Commission and other committees and associations. I transferred to a position in the criminal court unit that allowed me to travel the state teaching clerks in Missouri processes, policies and the statutes and rules that govern the judiciary. My entire professional career has been with the Missouri Judiciary. I started at the very bottom and worked my way up gaining a very high level of experience working with the Office of State Courts Administrator.
What would be your top priorities in office?
Klein Perkins: The Circuit Clerk serves as the custodian of the court's records, so protecting the integrity of those records is one of my highest priorities. I will ensure court records remain accurate, secure, properly preserved, and maintained in compliance with Missouri law. Missouri courts operate under the principle that court records are open and transparent to the public pursuant to specific court operating rules. My commitment is to ensure our office continues to serve the public with integrity, professionalism and transparency.
Winfrey: The top priority is to be a good steward of our tax dollars. If there is wasteful spending, I will find it, and I will put a stop to it. The next priority is to build transparency and through that, build public confidence.
What goals do you have for office if you are elected?
Klein Perkins: My primary goal is to provide a smooth leadership transition following Susan Sadler's retirement while maintaining the high level of service our community expects.
I also believe there is always room for improvement. I will continue to support training, embrace new ideas, and look for opportunities to improve service to the courts and the public while preserving the professionalism and excellence that have defined this office for many years.
Winfrey: On day 1 in office, we're going to begin auditing our processes to see where we can improve efficiency and streamline costs. The ultimate goal is to ensure Court Operating Rules and Supreme Court Rules are being followed.
Why should people vote for you?
Klein Perkins: Voters deserve a Circuit Clerk who is prepared to step into the role with experience, leadership, and a thorough understanding of the job. After 23 years in the Pettis County Circuit Clerk's Office and more than 20 years helping supervise the office's daily operations, I am ready to continue serving our community without interruption. I have spent my career in this office because I truly love my job and enjoy serving the public. My husband and I are lifelong Pettis County residents, we've raised our family here, and we care deeply about this community. Pettis County has given so much to our family, and I would be honored to give back by serving as your next Circuit Clerk. If elected, I promise to work hard every day, lead with integrity, and give this position my full commitment while providing the professional service the citizens of Pettis County deserve.
Winfrey: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. I know that our courts can be run more efficiently and that benefits our citizens. When we're efficient, we're more transparent, and when we're more transparent the people of Pettis County have more faith and confidence in our court system.
Compiled by Chris Howell.
