Stoddard County Commission seats to be contested

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- As the March 27 filing period deadline nears for state, district and county positions, both district seats on the Stoddard County Commission will be contested in the November general election. County voters will also choose between two candidates for coroner.

The latest to file is retired fire chief Al Banken of Dexter, who filed as a Democrat for District 2 Commissioner. He will face Republican incumbent Carol Jarrell of Dexter.

Five have filed for District 1 Commissioner. Democratic incumbent Frank Sifford is retiring at the end of the year and did not seek re-election. Jason Williams of Bloomfield originally filed as a Republican for that position, but later withdrew and refiled as a Libertarian. Democrats that have filed are Kenneth Carney of Bloomfield and retired highway patrol Sgt. Dale Moreland of Bloomfield. Republicans that have filed are Steve Jordan of Advance and Danny Talkington of Grayridge.

Republican Darrell Penberthy of Dexter filed for coroner, as did Democrat Kenny Pope. So far these are the only contested races for county office. The deadline to file for all offices for the general election is 5 p.m. March 27.

Three people, including two incumbent state representatives, filed for Senate District 25. Incumbent Rep. Billy Pat Wright of Dexter and Poplar Bluff businessman Doug Libla, both Republicans, will face each other in the August primary. Rep. Terry Swinger of Caruthersville is the only Democrat to have filed for the seat.

Republicans Bob Thrower of Dexter and Dennis Fowler of Advance will face each other in the primary for House District 151. No Democrats had filed for the office as of Thursday morning.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer of Dexter is term limited and has chosen to file for circuit judge in Circuit 35. Associate Judge Steve Mitchell of Dexter has also chosen to seek the circuit 35 seat. The two will meet in the November general election.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO