Stoddard County open commission seats draw candidates

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Filing for the Aug. 5 primary election officially closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday and this year stands to have some very close races.

Among the hottest of those races looks to be the races for the two open seats on the Stoddard County Commission.

For First District Commissioner, incumbent Democrat Frank Sifford will be uncontested on the Democrat ticket. On the Republican side, Daniel Talkington will be facing off against Robert 'Bob' Holland in search of the nomination.

With Commissioner Ray Coats not seeking the re-election for the Second District Commissioner seat, four new faces are trying to make their way into office. On the Democrat side, William 'Bill' Pippins, Jr. will be up against another well-known local name, Boyce Wooley.

The Republican ticket also stands to be a close one with Dexter Alderman Jerry Corder going up against Carol Jarrell.

Also contested this year is the race for treasurer. Incumbent Democrat Carla Moore will see another active race as Democrat Tim Aslin seeks to take the place on this year's ticket.

Among other tightly contested races is the Democrat ticket for Public Administrator. Incumbent Democrat Brenda Wilson has two opponents this year, Pam Lape and Tonya Wethington, who are both campaigning for the job.

Republican Darrell Penberthy has also filed in an attempt to unseat Democrat incumbent Coroner William Morgan Sifford.

While there many contested races, several county candidates will be running unopposed, including Assessor Jody Lemmon, Sheriff Carl Hefner and Daniel Fisher for Surveyor.

Two of the biggest statewide races in the county, 25th District State Senator and 159th District State Representative, will also be contested in November.

State Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) will face off in November against a Democrat candidate who filed Tuesday afternoon, M. Shane Stoelting of Clarkton.

159th District State Representative Billy Pat Wright (R-Dexter) will be campaigning to retain his seat as longtime politician Bill Burlison, a Democrat from Advance, works hard to take the position.

Both State Rep. Steve Hodges (D-161) and State Rep. Tom Todd (D-163) will run unopposed for the seats they were both elected to in 2006.