State Rep. Clint Tracy to run for presiding commissioner

A state representative has announced his intention to run for Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

Rep. Clint Tracy, R-Cape Girardeau, said Friday he will be among the candidates filing for the office. Tracy was elected representative of the 158th district in 2008.

Tracy said he discussed the opportunity with several people, including First District Commissioner Paul Koeper and Second District Commissioner Jay Purcell, before making his decision. He said both commissioners indicated their willingness to work with him on issues in county government.

"It looked like an opportunity at the county level to do team-building," Tracy said. "Cape Girardeau County is where I grew up and as a public servant you have to go where there's a need. That's what drove my decision."

A report from KZIM KSIM radio earlier last week, posted on semissourian.com and published in the Southeast Missourian, said Tracy had decided to run for re-election to his representative seat. Tracy told the Southeast Missourian on Friday he isn't running for re-election and that there was a miscommunication with the radio station.

Tracy is the second candidate to announce a run for presiding commissioner.

Financial adviser Chris Hutson, also a Republican, said earlier this month he would run for the office. Hutson is the son of Circuit Clerk Charles Hutson, who will not be seeking a 10th term in office.

Insurance agent Rock Finch, who challenged Purcell in 2008, and Tom Schulte, longtime district director for U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, had previously considered running for the office but opted to forgo the opportunity. Finch cited responsibilities to his business and building a new home. Schulte said he was looking forward to closing the final chapter of his more than 20-year career with Bond.

In addition to Charles Hutson, three other county officeholders will not seek new terms. Associate Circuit Judge Peter Statler, Auditor David Ludwig and Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones will not place their names on the Aug. 3 primary election ballot.

Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, told the Southeast Missourian he would seek Statler's judicial seat. Chief deputy clerk Patti Wibbenmeyer has said she would run for Hutson's seat, and Cape Girardeau Central High School assistant principal Pete Frazier has announced plans to run for auditor.

Incumbents who said they will seek re-election include Clerk Kara Clark Summers, a Republican finishing her first term; Collector Diane Diebold, a Republican running for her fourth term; Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, a Republican seeking a seventh term and Recorder of Deeds Janet Robert, a Democrat seeking a ninth term.

Filing for the primary begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday and continues through March 30 in the clerk's office, 1 Barton Square in Jackson. The general election is Nov. 2.

Before 2000, candidates stood in long lines, some camping out the night before, for a chance to be the first on the ballot. Now, candidates who file on the first day choose a numbered ball in an antique metal box. After the first day the lottery is not used, as the candidates' names are placed on the ballot in the order they file through March 30.

Former auditor Weldon Macke, who served in the position for 34 years, said that he never camped out but was aware of candidates who did.

"Personally, I like the standing in line better because you had a little more camaraderie with the other candidates," Macke said. "The benefit of waiting in line was that it was thought that if your name was first that undecided voters might vote for you."

Separate numbers will be drawn Tuesday for candidates running for committee posts of the Constitution, Democrat, Libertarian and Republican parties. Unlike the other races, if a candidate on that committee is unopposed by the end of the filing deadline, then his or her name will not appear on the ballot.

Summers said candidates must also present proper voter identification, fill out a declaration of candidacy form and pay a $50 check to their political party.

Before placing the candidates' names on the ballot, Summers' staff will check requirements for each office.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO