Sheriff Eric Knox and the North and South County Commissioners, Scott Harms and Larry Berry, will have challengers for their current positions in the Primary Election set for August 6. However, candidates for the positions of other county level posts are running without opposition.
Sheriff Knox is seeking his third term in office. He spent K-12 grades in Cole Camp schools and is a U.S. Navy veteran. He put himself through Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Academy and worked full time in construction during the day and full time at night in the sheriff’s office before running for sheriff eight years ago. Andrew Breshears, Sheriff Knox’s challenger, was raised in Edwards and was a leader and mentor in school sports and other school activities. He helped manage the day-to-day operations of the family construction business for many years before joining the police academy in Warrensburg and then going to work at the sheriff’s office.
Since Sheriff Knox and Breshears are both running on the Republican ticket, the candidate with the highest number of votes in the primary will become the winner of the race without having to run in the November 5 election. The same is true for North District Commissioner Scott Harms. The incumbent, and his challenger, Donnie L. Brown, are also on the same (Republican) ticket.
South District Commissioner, Larry Berry, who is the incumbent, is running on the Republican ticket. His opponent, Mark Breshears, is running as a Democrat. Therefore, since they are not on the same political ticket, they are required to run again in November.
The single candidates for other county offices are Jim Hansen, current incumbent, running for Assessor.; J. Weston Miller, incumbent, running for Coroner; and Shaun M. Marshal running for Surveyor. The incumbent surveyor, Jesse Winiger, did not file to run again. Public Administrator incumbent Lori Johnson Schroder is running to remain in that office.
County office positions that are not on the August 6 Primary ballot are on a different election cycle. Incumbents in the positions of Presiding Commissioner, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney, and County Collector were elected in the August 5, 2022, election.
Certain townships have candidates running for Committeewoman and Committeeman. There are positions for one of each in a township. Three men are running for the Cole Township Committeeman position. They are Michael Jones, Russell Rusty Johnson and Russ Rhodes.
There are three candidates running for Fristoe Township Committeewoman. They are Kathy Sullins, Veletta Autry (incumbent), and Karen Reese. Ralph Julian was the incumbent for Fristoe Township Committeeman, but he did not file to run. The only candidate for that position will be Brett Reese and since he is the presumptive winner, he is not on the ballot.
Five women are running for the Lindsey Township Committeewoman position. They are Susan Steiner, Cynthia Smith, Belinda Fuller, Teresa Piersee-Watson, Tamara Lyn Jack, and Rebecca Moore (the current incumbent).
Gerry E. Smith, Eric Wiseman, and Jim Hansen (incumbent) are running for the position of Lindsey Township Committeeman. Dan Porterfield, Kenny Treece, and Robert Eric Kirby are running for Tom Township Committeeman.
In townships, the winners of the primary election will not have to run again in the November election.
The primary ballot will also include a local proposition from the Cole Camp Ambulance District requesting that the district be authorized to levy an annual tax rate of $0.48 per one hundred dollars valuation. The revenues would be used to support the operation of the district in providing ambulance services to its citizens.
