Daume joins race for Cape County presiding commissioner

Stephen Daume, a Daisy farmer, announced he will run for Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner as he makes his second bid for a seat on the commission.

Daume ran third in a 10-way Republican primary for District 1 Commissioner in 2008, polling 843 votes or 13.75 percent of the total. The primary was won by Paul Koeper, who went on to win the seat in the November general election.

In a news release, Daume said he had discussed his plans with Koeper and District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell.

Daume becomes the third candidate to announce, following financial adviser Chris Hutson and state Rep. Clint Tracy. All three are Republicans. No Democrat has announced intentions to run.

The county needs to set short-term and long-term goals, Daume said. "It's important that we are transparent, that everyone feels like they are part of the process and that we set goals for what we want to achieve as a county," Daume said.

Daume has operated Daume Farms, raising livestock and other crops near Daisy, since 2002. He was employed by MFA Agriservices from 1993 to 2002.

Filing for state and county offices opens at 8 a.m. today. Filing for county offices takes place in the county clerk's offices in each county. Filing for state offices takes place at the Missouri Secretary of State's office in Jefferson City. Filing closes March 30.

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO

600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO