Dems recommend Bollinger to fill circuit clerk vacancy

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Democrat Club agreed Monday to recommend that Gov. Jay Nixon appoint Nick Bollinger of Marble Hill to fill the vacancy in the circuit clerk's office left by the resignation of Sharon Lutes.

Bollinger, a self-employed bricklayer, has not held public office before, although he said he ran for collector in 1994, losing to current Ccollector Bob Anderson.

Bollinger also plans to seek the circuit clerk's office in the 2010 primary election.

"People have been wanting me to run again," he said. "This came up so I thought I would toss in my hat."

Also planning to run in the primary is Cindy Yount, a clerk in the circuit clerk's office for the past 15 years. Yount had also applied to fill the vacancy, but said Monday it would be in her best interests to run for the four-year term instead of filling in for one year.

Had she been appointed for the interim, she would not be able to run in 2010.

"It's the best decision for me and my family," Yount said.

It is now up to the governor, who can appoint anyone he chooses to fill the vacancy. Democrats are optimistic Nixon will appoint a fellow Democrat.

Attempts to reach Jerry Marquis, Republican party chairman, for comment were unsuccessful.