With the filing deadline in the past, races around Stoddard County will be tightly contested in April. Here is a look at races around the county. Stoddard County voters will have tough choices to make on April 7.
Dexter
The Dexter city races are set for the April election. Mayor Jason Banken will run unopposed in his bid for a second term of two years. Dexter City Collector Crystal Allstun is also running unopposed. Allstun is seeking reelection to the city collector position, which is a four-year term.
The Dexter Board of Aldermen is looking at a little bit of lineup change. Four spots will will be available. The first was vacated by Ward III alderman Frank Killian recently after moving to Ward I, making him ineligible to complete his term as Ward III alderman. Mayor Banken will assign someone to complete the rest of the Ward III term, which is up in May 2021, at a later date.
Voters will decide the other three spots. Killian has filed to run for the Ward I alderman position on the board along with Ward II incumbent Larry Rogers. Incumbent Glen Robinson in Ward III is also seeking reelection. Ward I incumbent Jerry Corder will not seek reelection. Two aldermen sit in each ward in Dexter.
Dexter School Board
The Dexter School Board election will be highly contested. Five are running for three available spots.
Incumbent board member Ben Worley is hoping to hold on to his position on the board, as he faces four challengers. Ronald Glaus, Saren Demaree Janet Bell and Bobbi Kay Parker are challenging Worley for a spot on the board.
Also available is an open spot vacated by Kevin Bishop in the summer of 2019. Bishop accepted a new job and had to move out of the area. Incumbent Yewell “Bud” Lawrence did not file for reelection.
Puxico School Board
A contested race for two school board spots has developed in Puxico with four candidates running for two spots. Incumbents J.W. Mattingly and Chad Payne will look to hold off challengers Steve Crisel and Randy Stephens. Payne is the current president of the Puxico School Board.
Puxico
A contested race has shaped up for the Puxico Board of Aldermen. In Ward I GS Kilbreth will square off against Lori Jo Davies, while Peter Coutavas will run uncontested in Ward II. Ward I incumbent Charles Fann did not file for reelection.
Bernie
The races will be uncontested on the Bernie city ballot. Mayor James Tilmon will run unopposed for reelection, as will Municipal Judge Shannon Foster. Casey Arnold will run unopposed for the Ward I alderman seat. Incumbent David Bess did not refile after moving from Ward I. Incumbents in Wards II and III, James Henderson and Barry Zimmerman, respectively, will run for reelection unopposed.
Bernie School Board
Three seats are up for grabs on the Bernie School Board and four people are looking for a spot at the table. Incumbents Denny Riddle, Rick Beaird and Richard Owens will look to hold off challenger Kristopher Powell
Bloomfield
Two aldermen wil run unopposed in Bloomfield. In the North Ward incumbent Patricia Wilson will seek to retain her seat as will incumbent Donna Deardorff.
Bloomfield School Board
The Bloomfield School Board race will feature four people running for three spots. Incumbents Ryan Mayo and William (Bill) Robinson will look to hold off challengers Cecil Haley and Jeffery (Jeff) Jarrell. An open seat will also be available as incumbent Trevor Pulley did not file for reelection.
Essex
In Essex the filing deadline is Jan. 28 and thus far two aldermen and the mayor are running unopposed. Mayor Donnie Foster will seek reelection as will aldermen Angela Malloy and Regina Williams.
Richland School Board
Incumbents Clinton Corlew, Karen Evans and Jeremy Conner will all run for reelection unopposed.
Bell City
Two will run unopposed for the Bell City Board of Aldermen. Incumbent Bo Duenne will seek reelection in Ward I. Lincoln Sherer will run in Ward II, looking to secure the seat that will be vacated by incumbent Ben Abner, who did not file for reelection.
Bell City School Board
A nonelection has been declared in the Bell City School Board race by Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks. Three incumbents filed with no challengers to their seats. Under Missouri statute 115.124 a school board election is not required if the number of people running matches the number of seats available. Will Yarbrough, Scott Nichols and Brandon Stewart will retain their seats.
Dudley
Incumbents Clifford Temples and Jimmy Green will run for reelection unopposed. Temples has served for many years on the Dudley Board of Aldermen, while Green was recently appointed by Mayor Lucille Mullins. Green is finishing out the term of Doris Green, his mother, who passed away.
Advance
The filing deadline in Advance is Jan. 31 and thus far three will run unopposed for board of aldermen seats. Incumbent Carol Blanten and William Woodard will run in Ward II, while James Powers will run in Ward I. Incumbents Tim Hall and Ryan Schrader have not yet filed for reelection.
Advance School Board
Four in Advance will run for three school board seats. Incumbents Joshua “Ryan” Schrader and Chase Van Robins will face challengers Jeremy Lee Limbaugh and Tyler Michael Wade. Incumbent Jared Lacey is not running for reelection.