Municipal election filings close

Races, new faces running in all cities but Aurora
 
 
Candidate filings for the April 7 municipal election have closed, setting up ballot races in several communities.
Mt. Vernon
One race emerged for city council seats in Mt. Vernon.
In Ward 3, incumbent Marda Gramm, who filed for re-election, will face a challenge from Jasmine Burks.
Incumbent mayor Jason Haymes is running unopposed for another two-year term.
In Ward 1, incumbent Dallas Gramm filed for another two-year term.
In Ward 2, incumbent David Eden has filed without opposition to fill the one-year seat. Running for a two-year term is Daryck Wheeler.
In Ward 4, incumbent Lowell Phillips is the only candidate for the two-year post.
Aurora
No races developed in Aurora. Incumbents Jason Lewis and Theresa Pettit both filed for the open three-year seats. Lewis presently serves as mayor pro-tem by vote of the council.
Miller
Changes are pending on the Miller City Council. Neither incumbent council members Kerry Johnson nor Melody McGrady chose to run for re-election.
Running unopposed for the two vacancies are past council member Garry Baker and Leslie Heckmaster.
Marionville
Several races emerged in Marionville, where none of the incumbents sought re-election. All positions are for two years.
Seeking the job of mayor will be Angie Brenner, who currently serves as Ward 1 alderman, and first-time candidate Jim Brangenberg. The outgoing mayor is Dale Blankenship.
In Ward 1, seeking that open seat will be Sue Bigelow, Abigail Carlton, and Trent Baker.
In Ward 2, Krisi Zemas is running unopposed to succeed incumbent Krystal Presswood.
In Ward 3, the race to succeed incumbent Joanne Lawrence is between Phillip Mark Johnson and Ron Heald.
Pierce City
Several races developed in Pierce City.
Incumbent Mayor Todd Killingsworth faces a re-election challenge from Ward 4 alderman Cory Sooter.
In Ward 1, incumbent Hollis Webb faces a challenge from Ivan Curtis.
Ward 2 alderman Amos Mize, reappointed recently after a previous resignation, is running unopposed.
In Ward 3, current incumbent Ernest Jarvis has opted to run for the one-year seat. Jarrod Jarvis, who previously served, filed for the two-year seat.
In Ward 4, incumbent Melonie Roberts faces a challenge from first-time candidate Emilee Sooter.
Verona
Six people filed for the two open at-large seats on the Verona City Council.
Michael Best, appointed in 2025 to fill the seat vacated by councilman Chris Nethery, filed for re-election. Former alderman Susanne Angel, who lost her re-election bid last April, filed to run again.
First-time candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring are Christopher Cavins, Jonathan Webb, Patricia Birk, and David Buzard.
Monett
While Monett does not have a regularly scheduled election for city council seats, the administration has called a special election to name a commission to write a new charter for the city. If the public votes to consider changing from a commission form of government, candidates for writing a charter under which a future city government would operate will be chosen. The proposition for a charter commission calls for 13 seats.
According to Mike Gervais, communications specialist for the city, 25 candidates took out packets for filing. Only 12 were returned. If all qualify to serve, as determined by the county clerks, all will be placed on the commission, making a public vote moot.
The candidates who filed include the entire present city council: Randy Burke, Ken Gaspar, and Darren Indovina. Additional candidates include: Gerry Bounds, Rexanna Hood, Dawnata Hopkins, Kevin Cloud, Deborah Schoen, Frank Washburn, Michael “Scott” Leach, Andrew D. Cole, and David Compton.
“We are currently working with county clerks, staff, and city legal counsel to determine the appropriate steps to fill the 13th seat on the charter commission,” Gervais said.