Dozens file for state, county races on first day

Debra Tracy decided to run for public administrator. Kenny Loos decided not to. And Larry Shoaf, a former educator, quietly joined the race Tuesday, bringing the total seeking the job to 11, with another still planning to file.

Tuesday was the first official day of the monthlong filing process for county and state offices, with 21 Cape Girardeau County political hopefuls becoming official candidates for offices such as the hotly contested public administrator job and positions such as sheriff, assessor and county commissioner.

Another 13 Republicans filed for GOP committee positions across the county, bringing the total number who filed to 34. On the day, only one Democrat, Mary Cotner, filed for a candidacy. She hopes to become the next public administrator.

"I know this is a Republican county," said Cotner, a physical therapist's assistant. "But I still should have as good a chance as anybody. I've got the personal experience and the professional experience."

Meanwhile, in Jefferson City, three local incumbents -- two in the same district -- and three newcomers filed for the Missouri House and Senate. Cape Girardeau councilwoman Kathy Swan was the single candidate to file so far for Cape Girardeau's redrawn 147th House District. Swan, a Republican, is now at least temporarily free of an opponent with fellow councilwoman Tracy's decision to run for public administrator and not the House.

Swan is hoping to replace Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, who is seeking to switch chambers. Wallingford filed Tuesday, along with Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, for the Senate's 27th District, a race that pits two incumbents against each other due to redistricting. But those boundaries are still not official as a recent version won't be put to a final vote until next week.

The race for the 146th House District drew three expected candidates Tuesday, including incumbent Rep. Donna Lichtenegger and two challengers. Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, will face former Jackson football coach Van Hitt and Jackson School Board member Gerald Adams in the Aug. 7 Republican primary. All three filed in Jefferson City on Tuesday.

Tracy, who is set to leave the Cape Girardeau City Council in April, made her decision Tuesday, saying there was more than one factor, including what she called her "heart for ministry." Tracy, a minister, said she started to develop a passion for the job of public administrator the more she thought about it.

She also said she preferred the stability that a four-year position would have, as opposed to the House's two-year terms. She also said she prefers not to be on the road as much in Jefferson City as the House job would require.

"Those were the things that really weighed in the most," Tracy said. "It just took me a long time to figure out what I felt like was the best fit for me."

Jackson Manor admissions director Kenny Loos previously said he intended to run for public administrator, but on Tuesday announced he had decided not to after learning that Julie Metzger, who has 25 years of experience in the social work field, was going to.

"I just looked at her qualifications versus mine and realized she's the best person for the job," Loos said. "I just feel like she's the best candidate."

Metzger did not file Tuesday but she intends to before the March 27 deadline.

If she does, that would be a total of 12 who want to replace Phyllis Schwab, who announced in January she will not seek re-election.

The one new name that surfaced Tuesday for the job was Larry Shoaf, who said he debated going public before the filing period opened. When he saw the number of candidates grow, he almost backed out, but said his job history would make him a good public administrator.

Shoaf is retired from a field centered on education, having worked in elementary education as an administrator and as a teacher. He's worked as a principal at schools in Bollinger and Stoddard counties and as a teacher in Delta and Scott County schools.

"With the change, you feel like we need somebody in there that's capable and can be a good administrator," Shoaf said. "With the things I've done, I feel like a perfect fit."

Earlier in the day, the county candidates showed up at County Clerk Kara Clark Summers' office in Jackson in hopes of lucking into the top ballot spot in each of their races, which is thought to be an advantage.

As they filed, the candidates pulled numbers ranging from 1 to 100 from a hopper, which would determine ballot placement.

Their luck came in varying degrees. Cotner, the lone Democrat, was the first one to file at 8 a.m. She pulled number 100, prompting a groan. Still, if no other Democrats file, she will stand alone on the Democratic ballot in the August primary.

Sheriff John Jordan, however, who so far faces no competition for what may be his last term, pulled the big prize -- number 1, a meaningless win if no others file.

In addition to Tracy, Cotner and Shoaf, other public administrator candidates that filed Tuesday included Helen Jackson, Mary Ann Friese, Kim Kelley, Tammy Sladek, Janet Niedbalski, Scott Schnurbusch, Linda Nash and Lisa Reitzel.

The race for Cape Girardeau County Commission's District 2 seat kicked off Tuesday as well, with Moe Sandfort and Charlie Herbst filing, also as expected, to try to replace incumbent Jay Purcell. Purcell filed later in the day Tuesday.

The county assessor's open race also will see some competition, with Amy Jones, Ron Andrews and Bob Adams all hoping to take over for the retiring Jerry Reynolds.

In Bollinger County, incumbent Sheriff Leo McElrath will face two challengers in the Republican primary, including Darrin Shell and Danny Cato. In Bollinger County, incumbent commissioner Steve Jordan in the second district will face Nick Hendricks. Commissioner John Johnson Jr., will square off against James Null and Roger Vangennip for the District 1 spot.

Perry County saw a slew of incumbents file to keep their jobs, including for coroner, surveyor, sheriff, assessor, public administrator and county commission.

But Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, the Democrat incumbent, has a challenger in Ron Merideth in the Democratic primary. Scott County Commissioner Donnie Kiefer has a Democratic challenge from Will Yates.

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