Former sheriff's deputy files in Missouri House race

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A second candidate filed for Missouri House District 151 last Friday, and is the only new candidate to file since opening day. Dennis Fowler, an Advance Republican, officially filed for the seat. Dexter Republican Bob Thrower filed for the position on opening day. Incumbent Republican Billy Pat Wright has filed for Senate District 25.

Fowler is currently superintendent of the Juvenile Detention Center in Stoddard County. He has been in that position for five years. He has been in law enforcement for the last 38 years, serving as a deputy in the sheriff's department and with the SEMO Drug Task Force.

Fowler is a graduate of Puxico High School. He attended Southern Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Ark., and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University. He spent three years in the U.S. Navy. He has been married to his wife, Ava, for 42 years and has two children and three grandchildren.

"I know a lot about Stoddard County and what its needs are in terms of representation in Jefferson City," said Fowler.

Wright faces Poplar Bluff Republican Doug Libla in the primary election for Senate District 25. Democratic state Rep. Terry Swinger of Caruthersville, who is so far unopposed in the primary, also filed for the seat.

Republican state Sen. Rob Mayer and Democratic Associate Judge Stephen Mitchell both filed for circuit judge in Judicial District 35, which includes Stoddard and Dunklin Counties. Neither has drawn an opponent in the August Primary.

The retirement of Commissioner Frank Sifford at the end of the year has lured several to file for his District 1 seat on the Stoddard County Commission. Five candidates (three Republicans and two Democrats) filed for that position. They are Kenneth Carney (D), Dale Moreland (D), Jason Williams (R), Steve Jordan (R) and Danny Talkington (R).

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO