More file for Hodges' seat, including Neal Boyd

The final day to file for county and state offices to appear on the August primary ballot was largely a quiet one.

The 149th district picked up two more candidates for the House seat, which will be open after incumbent Rep. Steve Hodges reaches term limits in the fall. Diedra Ashley Freeman of New Madrid, Mo., filed Monday to appear on the Democratic ticket. Running against her in the August primary will be Morgan Copeland Nesselrodt and Bill Burlison.

Sikeston Republican Neal E. Boyd, who waited until Tuesday to file, will make his second attempt at the seat. Boyd faces Don Rone, former mayor of Portageville, Mo., in the primary.

Most districts in Southeast Missouri saw the filing period close with no new candidates added. Rep. Donna Lichtenegger, R-Jackson, held on to her status as sole candidate for the 146th District, where she seeks re-election. State Rep. Kathy Swan, R-Cape Girardeau, faces opposition from candidates in the general election from the Libertarian and Democratic parties.

Challengers against U.S. Rep. Jason Smith in the 8th Congressional District include Democrat Barbara Stocker, Libertarian Rick Vandeven and Doug Enyart of the Constitution Party. Terry Hampton of West Plains, Mo., also plans to run as an Independent candidate; she must collect and have certified more than 6,000 signatures -- 2 percent of the total cast in the previous November general election in the 8th District -- from registered voters by July 28.

The race for the 32nd Judicial Circuit presiding judge saw no surprises throughout the one-month filing period. Republicans Allen Moss, Trae Bertrand and Michael Gardner all announced their intentions to run earlier this year and all filed on the first day of filing in February. Longtime officeholder Judge William L. Syler plans to retire in December at the end of his term.

No would-be candidates stopped by Tuesday to file for county office with the Cape Girardeau County clerk's office. Of the nine offices that will appear on the ballot, only three feature contested races.

Drew Blattner, assistant director for the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center, will run against incumbent Scott R. Clark. Both men filed as Republicans.

The race for Division III associate circuit judge includes two Republicans. Lawyer Jeff Dix will run against Gary Kamp, who has held the position for nearly a decade.

Pat Wissman, the only Democrat to file for a Cape Girardeau County office, will appear on the November ballot with Republican incumbent Clint Tracy in the race for presiding commissioner.

The primary election is Aug. 5.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.