The Republican primary race for Clay County Eastern Commissioner heads the local ballot on Aug. 2.
Incumbent Luann Ridgeway, a Smithville-area resident, will face challenger Dan Troutz of Holt. The winner will then oppose the lone Democrat, Liberty resident Stacy Nickerson, in November’s general election.
Ridgeway, a former state representative and state senator, is completing her first term as county commissioner. Troutz, a businessman, has not previously held public office.
The only other contested primary race, also on the Republican side, is for Clay County treasurer, where incumbent Ted Graves is being challenged by Victor S. Hurlbert.
The remaining races – each pitting one Republican and one Democratic candidate – will be decided in November. The posts up for election in the fall are county sheriff, assessor and public administrator.
The Aug. 2 ballot will also include several primary races for national and state offices. For U.S. Senator, incumbent Roy Blunt faces three Republican challengers. There are four candidates on the Democratic ballot, as well as two Libertarians and a Constitutional Party candidate.
Democrat Jason Kander of Columbia is considered the leading challenger for Blunt’s seat.
The Missouri Governor’s race will have four candidates on both the Republican and Democratic sides. The Republican primary race has been hotly contested among candidates Catherine Hanaway, Eric Greitens, John Brunner and Peter D. Kinder. Chris Koster, currently the state’s attorney general, is thought to be the prominent Democratic candidate.
There are also contested primary elections for state treasurer, attorney general and secretary of state.
To read the rest of this story, see the Friday, July 29 issue of The Standard