A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY MARKS THE OPENING DAY OF COUNTY OFFICE FILINGS

JACKSON -- Gerald Jones and Allen Moss spent Monday night in their vehicles outside the front door of the Cape Girardeau County Administration Building to make sure they were the first to file for county offices they hope to win this year.

Whether being first on the ballot makes much difference in a primary race has been a longtime point of political debate, and there is no clear answer.

But Jones, who is one of three Republicans who filed for presiding commissioner Tuesday, and Moss, one of two Republicans filing for Division IV associate circuit judge, apparently thought the effort to be first could benefit their campaigns.

Despite their efforts, Jones and Moss will hardly become legendary for their overnight vigil. In some counties and at the state Capitol, potential candidates have stood in line for weeks to claim the top ballot position.

But even though they were first in line, the first person who got to file Tuesday was County Clerk Rodney Miller, who unlocked the door to his office where candidates file.

"I was here first," joked Miller, pointing out that 15 candidates filed on Tuesday's opening day. Since Miller was the only candidate for county clerk on the first day, his move to the front of the line went unchallenged.

Jones actually began holding his place outside the building's front door around 7 a.m. Monday, while Moss arrived at 3:30 p.m.

The next candidate to arrive was Mike Kasten, a Republican candidate for presiding commissioner, who was on hand well before the doors opened but still lined up behind Jones.

Tuesday's first day of filings created four races in the Aug. 2 Republican primary -- for presiding commissioner, both associate commissioner posts, and for Division IV associate circuit judge.

Filing continues until 5 p.m. on March 29.

Besides Jones and Kasten, also filing for presiding commissioner was Howard Tooke, of Cape Girardeau. Incumbent Gene Huckstep is retiring after 16 years on the job.

Second term 1st District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock was fourth in line Tuesday morning, but later drew a Republican challenge from Fred Wilkinson of Millersville.

Moss also drew an expected primary challenge when Jeff Dix also filed for judge. Incumbent Democrat Marybelle Mueller is not seeking re-election.

Last week's retirement announcement by Republican E.C. Younghouse drew three candidates for 2nd District associate commissioner. On hand early to file was John Ferguson, a Republican, and later in the morning he drew a primary challenge from Joe Gambill. Ferguson is in the middle of his second term as public administrator. Andy Juden Jr. was the one Democratic candidate filing for the commission seat.

Gary Kamp filed as a Republican candidate for Division III associate circuit judge.

Incumbents filing Tuesday included: Recorder of Deeds Janet Robert and Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson, both Democrats, and Republican Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.