Who's running? Where to vote? What to know about Aug. 2 primary election in Missouri

Columbia Daily Tribune
·7 min read

A chaotic U.S. Senate showdown, competitive U.S. House contests and a Missouri House race will fill out the primary ballot for voters in Boone County on Tuesday, trimming the field for November's general election.

There also are three contested county-level primaries, including for presiding commissioner, in addition to a City of Columbia special election.

Tribune reporters have been attending events, interviewing candidates and tracking races. If you're just tuning in and wondering who to vote for, how (and where) to cast your ballot or just want to revisit past reporting, we've got you covered.

How to vote in Missouri's 2022 primary election

Early voting has begun for the primary election. It's too late to request an absentee ballot by mail, but you can visit your local election authority (like a county clerk's office) to cast an early vote in-person no later than Monday if you'll be absent on Election Day or are unable to vote Tuesday for some other reason.

Polls open on Election Day at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m. when the polls close, you are still allowed to vote if you stay in line. For more details about your polling location or hours, check your voter registration with the Secretary of State's office.

Although Missouri has a new law requiring photo ID to vote, it doesn't take effect until after the primary election. You are required to have some form of ID when voting, but it doesn't have to have a photo. It could be a driver's license, passport, voter ID card, college or university ID, utility bill, bank statement or other government document with your name and address.

If you don't have a form of ID at the time you vote, you can cast a provisional ballot and return to the polling place later that day to verify your identity and make sure your vote is counted.

U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is retiring after 12 years in the Senate. Significant crowds of candidates seeking to replace him have grown on both sides of the aisle.

Republicans, who in recent elections have solidly won statewide races in Missouri, will choose from former Gov. Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz and attorney Mark McCloskey, along with over a dozen other lesser-known candidates.

The race has garnered national attention, with Greitens facing new allegations of abuse from his ex-wife, outside groups spending big, gun-filled campaign ads stoking controversy and former President Donald Trump looming in the background but declining thus far to officially endorse.

Democrats have 11 candidates aiming to make the general election competitive and flip the seat blue. The frontrunners include Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine and entrepreneur Spencer Toder.

State auditor

Two elected Republicans are vying to run to become the state's new government watchdog. Auditor Nicole Galloway, the state's only Democrat in statewide office, said she was stepping away from public office after losing a campaign for governor in 2020.

Rep. David Gregory is an attorney and accountant from St. Louis County. He has touted a legislative investigation he led of the state Department of Revenue and said he's the "only accountant in the race." State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, a former southwest Missouri House member and budget chair, has pledged to "continue to serve with the same conservative values."

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Alan Green, a former state representative and county advisor from St. Louis County. He is unchallenged in the primary election.

U.S. House - District 3

There are contested Democratic and Republican primaries in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District, which now includes southern Boone County after redistricting.

More: Primaries set for Missouri's 3rd U.S. House District, with established incumbent Republican

Blaine Luetkemeyer, who has served in Congress since 2008, is the incumbent and is one of four Republican candidates on the ballot. The list also includes Dustin Hill, Brandon Wilkinson and Richard Skwira Jr., though Skwira Jr. suspended his campaign.

There are four Democratic candidates vying for their party's nomination: Andrew Daly, Dylan Durrwatcher, Jon Karlen and Bethany Mann.

In Boone County, the 3rd District includes south Columbia, the main University of Missouri campus, Ashland and Rocheport.

U.S. House - District 4

Seven Republicans are competing for the nomination for Missouri's 4th Congressional District, with incumbent Congresswoman Hartzler running for U.S. Senate.

More: A glance at 7 Republicans competing for nomination in Missouri's 4th Congressional District

The winner of the 4th District primary will compete against Jack Truman, the lone Democratic candidate.

The list of Republican candidates includes Mark Alford, Rick Brattin, Kalena Bruce, Taylor Burks, Jim "Soupy" Campbell, Bill Irwin and Kyle LaBrue.

Boone County was split in half between the 3rd and 4th congressional districts in recent congressional redistricting. The 4th District includes northern Boone County, including north Columbia, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Sturgeon and Centralia.

MO House - District 47

There's just one contested primary race for Missouri House of Representatives involving Boone County in the primary election.

It's in District 47, where the race between Adrian Plank and Chimene Schwach will decide who the Democratic nominee will be.

More: There's only one contested primary in Boone County's Missouri House races; others set for November

The winner will face Republican John Martin on Nov. 8. He's unopposed in the primary.

The redrawn 47th District comprises northwest Boone County, including Harrisburg, Rocheport, most of Columbia's Fourth Ward and part of its Fifth Ward. It is almost 50% Democratic and almost 47% Republican.

Boone County presiding commissioner

Boone County Republicans will decide between Connie Leipard, owner of Quality Drywall Construction, and James Pounds, owner of his namesake construction company, for who they want to see on the November ballot for presiding commissioner.

More: Here are Boone County races on the August primary ballot

The Republican winner will face off against Democrat and former State Rep. Kip Kendrick. Kendrick is running unopposed in the primary.

Current Presiding Commissioner Dan Atwill is not seeking reelection.

More: Connie Leipard aims to be 'connector' in run for Boone County presiding commissioner

More: James Pounds puts focus on cost control in run for Boone County presiding commissioner

Columbia City Council - Third Ward

One unique race on the ballot is not a primary but rather a runoff to decide a tied municipal election from back in April.

The special election pits incumbent Karl Skala against challenger Roy Lovelady for the Third Ward seat on the Columbia City Council. Skala and Lovelady tied with 1,102 votes apiece on April 5, the first-ever deadlock in a City of Columbia race.

Skala is seeking his fifth term on the city council. He has remained in place as a council member in the interim before a winner is decided Tuesday.

Lovelady is a community activist and business owner.

More: Entering Third Ward runoff, challenger Roy Lovelady wants to be 'extra push' for change

More: Karl Skala increases Third Ward campaign efforts, keeps consistent message after April tie

Boone County recorder of deeds

Three Democrats will face off in August to advance to the November ballot.

They are Shannon Martin, Bob Nolte and Nick Knoth. Whichever Democrat is selected will be up against Republican Shamon Jones in November.

The person elected Nov. 8 will replace Nora Dietzel, who is retiring.

More: Boone County recorder of deeds candidates discuss their reasons for running

Boone County Circuit Court - Division 10 judge

The only contested judgeship race in Boone County is between Angela Peterson and Kayla Jackson-Williams, both Democrats, for Division 10. There is not a Republican running for the post, so whoever wins Tuesday is primed to become judge.

Division 10 oversees the family court, including juvenile cases, divorces and adult abuse dockets.

Current Judge Leslie Schneider is not seeking reelection.

More: Division 10 judge candidates tout experience, bridging gaps in messages to voters

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: What to know about voting, candidates in Missouri's Aug. 2 primary