Voters Guide: What to know ahead of the Aug. 6 primary election (2024)

KOMU 8 has compiled a list of candidates and propositions on your Aug. 6 ballot to help you make informed decisions.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the primary elections on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

No-excuse absentee voting is open now through Aug. 5.

State law requires voters to have a valid photo ID with an expiration date issued by either the federal government or the state of Missouri.

This means voters need to have either a Missouri driver’s or nondriver’s license, or a passport or other federal identification, such as a military ID.

Registered voters who do not have a valid ID will be able to vote using a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots will be reviewed by a bipartisan committee and will be counted if the signature on them matches the signature on the voter’s registration record.

You can find your polling place on the Secretary of State's website.

Here's abreakdown of who and what is on the ballot in the primary election.

National races include national offices that represent Missouri or part of Missouri, alongside representatives from other states, including U.S. Senators and Representatives. The Aug. 6 primary will decide the candidate for each political party, and the Nov. 5 general election will decide who wins the seat.

U.S. Senator

Sen. Josh Hawley is running for reelection and is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary: Mita Biswas, December Harmon, Lucas Kunce and Karla May.

December Harmon is a community activist who lives in Columbia after coming from New Jersey to attend Stephens College and later earned a degree in political science from Columbia College.She is a member of Columbia's Citizens Police Review Board, where shehas been vocalabout her concerns with the board.According to her website, Harmon supports a women's right to choose, gun control measures, andMedicare for all, among other issues.

Lucas Kunce is a 13-year Marine veteran who ran for U.S. Senate in 2022. He was born and raised in Missouri, growing up in Jefferson City. He says on his campaign website that he is an antitrust advocate, as well as an advocate for veterans.

Karla May currently represents parts of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area as a Democrat in the state Senate and said in a social media postshe will bring a "fresh perspective and bold vision to the race." She's served as the minority caucus chair and on multiple committees.

U.S. Representative District 3

Chad Bicknell, Kyle Bone, Bruce Bowman, Arnie Dienhoff, Bob Onder, and Kurt Schaefer are the Republican candidates for U.S. Representative District 3.

Bruce Bowman supports moving government jobs into Missouri, lowering the cost of health care and energy independence.

Arnie Dienhoff has run for multiple state and federal offices and served on the Board of Aldermen in the St. Louis inner-city suburb Bellefontaine Neighbors.

Bob Onder represents St. Charles County in the state Senate. He supports gun rights, lowering taxes, welfare reform and stricter election laws. He is endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

Kurt Schaefer represented Boone County in the state Senate from 2009 to 2017. He supports increased border security, opposes abortion and gun rights. Supporting former President Donald Trump is listed as a campaign priority.

Bethany Mann and Andrew Daly are the Democratic candidates for U.S. Representative District 3.

Bethany Mann ran for the same seat in 2022 as the Democratic nominee and lost to Republican Blaine Leutkemeyer. She supports cleaning Missouri's water to remove lead and forever chemicals, updating educational infrastructure and expanding access to health care.

Andrew Daly supports education improvements, access to high-speed internet and raising wages.

Jordan Rowden is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Representative District 3 and supports curtailing the national debt, free trade practices and removing all American military personnel from foreign soil.

U.S. Representative District 4

Mark Alford is the incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. Representative District 4 and is running unopposed.

Jeanette Cass and Mike McCaffree are the Democratic candidates for U.S. Representative District 4.

Jeanette Cass supports abortion rights, making child care more affordable and common-sense gun laws.

U.S. Representative District 6

Rep. Sam Graves, Freddie Griffin Jr., Brandon Kleinmeyer and Weldon Woodward are the Republican candidates for U.S. Representative District 6.

Sam Graves is the incumbent candidate and supports lowering fiscal spending, lowering taxes, developing energy production, defunding Planned Parenthood and gun rights.

Freddie Griffin Jr. supports gun rights, opposes American foreign aid and supports term limits.

Brandon Kleinmeyer supports reducing the national debt, term limits and tightening border security.

Rich Gold and Pam May are the Democratic candidates for U.S. Representative District 6.

Rich Gold supports lowering the national debt, funding Missouri farms and improving rural access to health care.

Pam May supports making health care more affordable, fighting climate change and implementing term limits.

Statewide races are offices in the Missouri state government, such as governor, attorney general and secretary of state. The Aug. 6 primary will decide the candidate for each political party, and the Nov. 5 general election will decide who wins the seat.

Governor

Current Gov. Mike Parson has reached his term limit, so there is no incumbent candidate in this race.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, state Sen. Bill Eigel, Darren Grant, Jeremy Gundel, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Darrell McClanahan III, Robert Olson, Amber Thomsen and Chris Wright are the Republican candidates for governor. Ashcroft, Eigel and Kehoe are the only candidates running full-scale campaigns, Missouri Independent reported.

Jay Ashcroft is the current Missouri secretary of state. He supports policies banning foreign ownership of state land, opposes abortion and he opposes transgender girls' participation in girls sports, according to his campaign website. He's called himself an "engineer" throughout his campaign, citing his degrees in engineering management, to differentiate himself from career politicians. He has never been licensed as an engineer but has taught university mechanical engineering classes, according to Missouri Independent.

Bill Eigel is a state Senator representing St. Charles County. He supports stricter voter ID laws, opposes gender-affirming care for minors and transgender girls' participation in girls sports, opposes personal property tax and opposes abortion except in medical emergencies.

Mike Kehoe is the current lieutenant governor and represented the 6th senatorial district before his election to the office in 2018. He has serveed as chair of the Missouri Food, Beverage and Forest Manufacturing Products Task Force. He opposes abortion "100%," supports strict voter-ID laws and paper ballots and supports cutting taxes, according to his campaign website.

Sheryl Gladney, Mike Hamra, Hollis Laster, Eric Morrison and state House Minority Leader Crystal Quade are the Democratic candidates for governor.

Mike Hamra is a business leader. He supports state initiatives to boost small business, supports free breakfast and lunch at schools, reducing prescription drug costs, expanding tax credits for older adults and veterans and gun reform.

Crystal Quade is a state representative for Greene County and is the House Minority Leader. She supports abortion rights, opposes corporate special interests and supports policies banning foreign ownership of state land.If elected in November, she would be the first female governor in Missouri history.

Lieutenant Governor

Tim Baker, Paul Berry, state Sen. Lincoln Hough, state Sen. Holly Rehder and David Wasinger are the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor.

Tim Baker is the Franklin County clerk. He opposes gun reform and supports concealed carry, opposes foreign ownership of state farmland and supports incorporating trades into public education, according to his campaign website.

Paul Berry opposes abortion, supports prison reform, supports school choice and supports tax relief for older adults. He opposes gun reform and filed a petition with the secretary of state's office in 2023 to ban counties from enacting gun laws.

Lincoln Hough represents part of Greene County in the state Senate and was elected in 2018. He supports investing state money into road, bridge and broadband infrastructure, supports defunding cities that designate themselves as sanctuaries for immigrants, opposes abortion and supports defunding Planned Parenthood, which does not provide abortions in Missouri.

Holly Rehder represents part of southeast Missouri in the state Senate and was elected in 2020. She served in the House of Representatives for eight years. She opposes abortion, opposes foreign ownership of state farmland and supports stricter laws against fentanyl trafficking. She opposes transgender girls' participation in girls sports and authored the bill that banned transgender athletes from participating on female sports teams.

David Wasinger opposes lobbyists and special interests, supports cutting bureaucracy and limiting the federal government and opposes abortion. He includes his support of former President Donald Trump as an issue he stands for on his campaign website.

State Rep. Richard Brown and Anastasia Syes are the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor.

Richard Brown represents part of Kansas City in the state House of Representatives and serves as the assistant minority floor leader. He is a retired public school teacher and supports reforming Missouri's heath care system and improving living standards for working families.

Attorney General

Elad Gross is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Two candidates are running in the Republican primary: incumbent Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Will Scharf.

Andrew Bailey has held the attorney general office since January 2023. He is served in Iraq before transitioning to law. He opposes abortion rights and has attempted to inflate the costs of abortion-related initiatives. His office has faced criticism for its handling of a solar energy case, where a missed court appearance led to dismissal. He has pushed to restrict gender-affirming care, which faced legal challenges and a ruling blocking his access to private medical records of transgender minors.

Will Scharf is a former federal prosecutor. A Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate, Scharf previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney and policy director for former Gov. Eric Greitens. His campaign emphasizes support for conservative judicial appointments, tax reduction and deregulation. Scharf opposes abortion and race-based affirmative action and supports limiting the federal government.

Secretary of State

There are no incumbents for this race, as Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is running for governor.

Eight Candidates are running in the Republican primary: Mike Carter, state Sen. Mary Coleman, Jaime Corley, Valentina Gomez, state Sen. Denny Hoskins, state House Speaker Dean Plocher, Shane Schoeller and state Rep. Adam Schwardon.

Valentina Gomez is a real estate investor who earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 and a master's degree in business administration from Tulane University in 2020. Gomez supports widespread voting reform, including eliminating electronic voting, deploying the Missouri National Guard to oversee voting and requiring voter ID. Gomez also supports school choice.

Denny Hoskins represents counties including Cooper, Howard and Saline in the state Senate. Hoskins opposes abortion, opposes gun reform and supports election reform.

Dean Plocher is the current House Speaker for the Missouri House of Representatives with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middlebury College and a law degree from Saint Louis University. Plocher supports stricter voting laws, including the removal of absentee ballot drop boxes.

Shane Schoeller is a former Missouri State House Representative. He represented part of Southeastern Missouri in the state House from 2007 to 2013. In the 2013 Missouri Secretary of State race, he narrowly lost to Jason Kander in the General Election. He supports stricter voting laws.

State Treasurer

State Treasurer Vivek Malek is running for reelection against five candidates in the Republican primary: Tina Goodrick, Andrew Koenig, Karan Pujji, Lori Rock and Cody Smith

Andrew Koenig is a state Senator representing parts of southwestern St. Louis County. He supports tax cuts and fiscal responsibility from a state budget.

Lori Rock is a managing member attorney of Ozark Elder Law. She supports anti-scamming legislation for older adults including education programs to help families protect their older members from scamming. She also supports veteran’s benefits.

Cody Smithrepresents part of Southwestern Missouri in the Missouri House Representatives.

State congressional primaries determine the Republican and Democratic candidates who will face off in November for a seat in the Missouri Senate or House of Representatives. The Missouri General Assembly comprises representatives and senators from districts across the state.

State Senator District 21

Two Republican candidates are running for the State Senate in District 21, which includes Howard County and counties west of it: state Rep. Kurtis Gregory and state Rep. Doug Richey.Jim Bates is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

State Rep. Doug Richey has supported legislative initiatives focusing on transparency, education and fiscal policy. He sponsored House Bill 138 to provide civil liability immunity for charities and religious organizations disclosing sexual misconduct allegations and HB 546 to create a risk management fund for public school teachers. He has supported mandating American history courses in high schools and opposed DEI statements in higher education.

State Rep. Kurtis Gregory began working in the emerging issues, workforce development, agriculture policy, and budget committees from 2021-22 in the Missouri House of Representatives. He has remained on the agriculture policy and budget committees, and he currently serves on the insurance committee.

State Representative District 44

John Martin and Bryce Beal are the Republican candidates for the primary for state Representative in the 44th District. The district comprises parts of southern and eastern Boone County.

John Martin is a former pastor and the owner of Pro Pumping and Hydrojetting, a small business. He has previously backed and worked with organizations such as Back the Blue, and Back the Flag, 4-H, and the Republican Central Committee of Boone County. His platform includes upholding the Second Amendment, improving local infrastructure, lowering taxes, standing with family farms and opposing abortion.

Bryce Beal grew up in a rural community and earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College and a law degree from Washington University. He currently works in special litigation and has experience working in the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Beal’s platform includes championing small government and capitalism to promote small businesses. He opposes gun restrictions and abortion rights.

State Representative District 50

Two candidates are running in the Democratic primary for state Representative in the 50th District: Jeff Basinger and Gregg Bush. Republican primary candidate Joshua Blakeman is running unopposed.There are no incumbents in this race. District 50 encompasses parts of south Columbia and central Boone County.

Jeff Basinger, a Missouri attorney and lifelong resident, is running for office on a platform that includes restoring abortion rights, supporting public education, advocating for workers' rights and opposing gerrymandering. He has taken a stance against political extremism and is committed to protecting the state's ballot initiative process. Basinger supports common sense gun laws, financial relief for workers and pro-union policies. He opposes Missouri's trigger laws on abortion and the state's low ranking in teacher pay and school funding.

Gregg Bush, a nurse, says he uses his health care experience as a key qualification for his legislative bid, supporting health care access, gun control, women's rights, civil rights and workers' rights, while opposing Missouri's abortion ban and advocating abortion rights. He also supports public education over charter schools, state investment in health care providers and combating the opioid and fentanyl crises as public health issues.

State Representative District 61

No candidates filed for the Democratic primary, but three Republican candidates are running for state Representative in the 61st District: incumbent Bruce Sassmann, Paul Stratman and Brian Tharp. District 61 encompasses Osage County and parts of Miller and Montgomery counties.

Bruce Sassmann has represented District 61 since 2021. He is the chair of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Higher Education Committee. He has sponsored several bills focusing on workforce development, designating memorial highways and modifying regulations related to invasive plant species. Sassmann is a retired funeral business owner and has been actively involved in conservation efforts, receiving several awards for his contributions to wildlife conservation and land ethic.

State Representative District 143

Incumbent state Rep. Bennie Cook and Philip Lohmann are the candidates for the Republican primary for state Representative in the 143rd District. The district represents counties including Phelps and Maries.

Bennie Cook is a current member of the Missouri House of Representatives and is running for reelection. He has worked as law enforcement in Texas County, Columbia and Belle. During his time as representative, he has sponsored bills related to sheriff elections, raising awareness for pediatric disorders and jurisdiction over Missouri land.

Philip Lohmann was born in Nevada and has previous experience working in retail. Lohmann’s platform includes lowering gas tax, ending personal property tax, universal school choice and lowering health care costs. He opposes gun restrictions, opposes abortion, and supports incorporating "Christian values" in government.

Amendments to the Missouri Constitution are ballot measures voted on statewide.

Amendment 1

Voters will decide whether to exempt child care facilities statewide from property taxation. The amendment would add child care facilities — and other properties used to care for children outside their homes — to the list of properties exempt from tax, including government property, nonprofit cemeteries and homes owned by people with total service-connected disabilities.

Properties that have a portion used for childcare be authorized by an assessing authority to receive the exemption.

State Sen. Travis Fitzwater, who represents counties including Callaway and Montgomery, said the amendment would address the child care shortage in the state.

"This is just one incentive to try to make it easier for the facilities to provide child care," Fitzwater said. "We just want to encourage child care facilities in the state to expand and have opportunities to keep more of their money, because they’re providing a real necessity of a service in the state of Missouri."

The amendment passed the Missouri Senate 33-0 in March 2023 and passed the Missouri House 91-27 in May 2023, with 70 Republicans and 21 Democrats voting in favor of its passage.

At least 50% of voters must approve the amendment for it to become law.

Amendment 4

Voters will decide whether to allow the Missouri General Assembly to increase the minimum amount of funding required for the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.

The vote comes after the amendment passed in November 2022 and was later overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court. The court ordered a new election after a note on the ballot said the amendment would have no cost to local governments, even though Kansas City leaders told state officials it would cost $39 million.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has opposed the amendment, saying it would take away the city's ability to work with police on reducing violent crime. The city was found to have violated state law after it passed an ordinance to reallocate funds away from the police department in 2021.

Boone County

Sheriff

There are two Democratic candidates for Boone County Sheriff: incumbent Sheriff Dwayne Carey and Charles Blair. The twocandidates faced off in 2020 for the office when Blair became Carey's first opponent for the office in 16 years. Carey was first elected in 2004.

Blair ran as a Republican in 2020 but challenges Carey as a Democrat in the Aug. 6 primary. There are no Republican candidates for the office.

Columbia Proposition 1

The city of Columbia is asking voters to extend its sales tax with Proposition 1. Voters in Columbia must renew the city's sales tax every 10 years. The tax 0.25% sales tax and funds projects including streets, sidewalks and capital improvement, according to the city of Columbia's website about the Proposition. The tax has been in effect since 1991.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the proposition, citing the "Public Works Department's successful track record," Matt McCormick, the chamber's president and CEO, said.

Cole County

Assessor

Chris Estes and Tim Theroff are running for Cole County assessor. Both candidates are Republicans, and there are no Democratic candidates. Estes is the incumbent candidate.

Cole County Central Committee

The candidates for the Cole County Democratic Central Committee all ran unopposed and will not appear on the ballot. The candidates for the Cole County Republican Central Committee are divided by ward in Jefferson City and township outside the city limits. The elected candidate will assume the position after the Aug. 6 primary.

Jeff Ahlers and Andrew Schmidt are the candidates for the Jefferson City First Ward committee male primary.Hannah Beers Sutton and Michelle Schmidt are the candidates for the Jefferson City First Ward committee female primary.

Luke Schrandt and Karl "Guppy" Michael are the candidates for the Jefferson City Second Ward committee male primary.Carolyn McDowell and Kiana Schrandt are the candidates for the Jefferson City Second Ward committee female primary.

Penelope Z. Quigg and Jane P. Barlow are the candidates for the Jefferson City Third Ward committee female primary.

Ron Fitzwater and Frederick S. Berry are the candidates for the Jefferson City Fourth Ward committee male primary.Tammy R. Meyer and Karen Fitzwater are the candidates for the Jefferson City Fourth Ward committee female primary.

Jonathan Ratliff and Joshua Taylor are the candidates for the Jefferson City Fifth Ward committee male primary.Jennifer Ratliff and Renee Taylor are the candidates for the Jefferson City Fifth Ward committee primary.

Sandy Grier Pruitt and Joyce C. McIntosh are the candidates for the Clark Township committee female primary.

Jeremy Cady, Thomas Mills and Vic Rackners are the candidates for the Jefferson Township committee male primary.Becky Quinn and Janet Ousley are the candidates for the Jefferson Township committee female primary.

Catherine Peerson and Wanda F. Roam are the candidates for the Marion Township committee female primary.

June Cardwell and Jamie L. Pearson are the candidates for the Moreau Township committee female primary.

Todd Linhardt and Doug Widhalm are the candidates for the Osage Township committee male primary.Bonnie L. Linhardt and Jodi Widhalm are the candidates for the Osage Township committee male primary.

Callaway County

Eastern District Commissioner

Curt Warfield Jr., Kenny Albert, Suzanna Wolfe and Kirt Kleindienst are the candidates for the Eastern District Commissioner primary.

Sheriff

Darryl Maylee and Victor Pitman are the candidates for Callaway County Sheriff.

Darryl Mayleebegan serving as the chief deputy in the Callaway County Sheriff's Office in 2002. He's served in Callaway County law enforcement for more than 30 years, according to his campaign website. He's been serving in the sheriff's position in the interim since former Sheriff Clay Chism was arrested and his peace officer license was suspended in 2022.

Victor Pitman is the former chief of the Holts Summit police department. He has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience, including as a patrol officer, traffic accident investigator, criminal investigator and evidence technician.

Assessor

Jody Paschal and Tony Estrada are the candidates for the Callaway County assessor primary. Paschal is the incumbent.

Treasurer

Debbie Zerr and Sandy Martin are the candidates for the Callaway County treasurer primary. Zerr is the incumbent.

Chariton County

Sheriff

Marshall Meagher and Erick R. Billups are the candidates for the Chariton County Sheriff primary. Billups is the incumbent.

Cooper County

Eastern District Commissioner

Gary L. Kammerich and Matthew Friedrich are the candidates for the Cooper County Eastern District Commissioner primary.

Assessor

Gayle Linneman and Wendy Young are the candidates for the Cooper County assessor primary.

Maries County

Sheriff

Mark Morgan, Scott John and Buddy Thompson are the candidates for the primary for Maries County sheriff.

Miller County

Circuit Judge Circuit 26 Division 1

Andrew Hardwick, Charlie Dickman, Stacy L. Patterson and Nick Mebruer are the candidates for the 26th Circuit Court Division 1 judge primary.

First District Commissioner

Don Abbett and Darrell Bunch are the candidates for the Miller County First District Commissioner primary.

Second District Commissioner

Gaylord McDaniel, Travis Rowden and Doug Zeigenbein are the candidates for the Miller County Second District Commissioner primary.

Moniteau County

Circuit Judge Circuit 26 Division 1

Andrew Hardwick,Charlie Dickman,Stacy L. PattersonandNick Mebruerare the candidates for the 26th Circuit Court Division 1 judge primary.

First District Associate Commissioner

Clint Hoellering and Doug Naros are the candidates for the Moniteau County First District Associate Commissioner primary.

Second District Associate Commissioner

Jerry Volkart, Bob Gruender and Don Bracht are the candidates for the Moniteau County Second District Associate Commissioner primary.

Morgan County

Circuit Judge Circuit 26 Division 1

Andrew Hardwick,Charlie Dickman,Stacy L. PattersonandNick Mebruerare the candidates for the 26th Circuit Court Division 1 judge primary.

Western District Commissioner

Jason Worthley, Kevin Barker, Harold Randall and Trent Edgar are the candidates for the Morgan County Western District Commissioner primary.

Sheriff

Incumbent Sheriff Morgan Dills and William DiMarsico are the candidates for the Morgan County sheriff primary.

Coroner

Jim Towles and Cody Worthley are the candidates for the Morgan County coroner primary.

Osage County

Public Administrator

Brenny Montgomery and Shirley M. Lubbering are the candidates for the Osage County Public Administrator primary.

County Commissioner District 2

Dale A. Logan, Joe Schmidt and George Lubbering are the candidates for the Osage County Second District Commissioner primary.

Proposition R

Osage County is asking residents to approve a 0.5% sales tax, which the county would use to fund maintenance on all county-maintained roads and bridges. The tax would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Randolph County

Eastern District Commissioner

John C. Tracy and Jason Lowry Jr. are the candidates for the Randolph County Eastern District Commissioner primary.

Western District Commissioner

Austin Kyser, Teresa Hunt and John Hobbs are the candidates for the Randolph County Western District Commissioner primary.

Sheriff

Chris Wertz, incumbent Sheriff Aaron K. Wilson, Andy Boggs and Will Barger are the candidates for the Randolph County sheriff primary.

Coroner

Don Barrett, Charles Peel and Johnny W. Milnes are the candidates for the Randolph County coroner primary.

Republican Central Township Committeeman

Ted Sander and Levi Shetler are the candidates for the Randolph County Republican Central Township Committeeman primary.

Proposition Fire

The Higbee Area Fire Protection District is asking voters to approve a $1 million bond for fire station maintenance, construction and equipment, as well as for updating emergency equipment and vehicles.

The fire protection district says it will specifically use the funds to remodel Fire Station 1 and update its 30-year-old fire trucks.

"The outdated and undersized building has fallen behind what is necessary to maintain a modern fire/rescue and EMS service," the fire protection district wrote in a flyer about the bond.

It estimates the bond, if passed, would cost residents around $7 a month if they live in a house assessed at about $100,000.