Voters pass Ash Grove Fire, Republic Parks taxes

AG Fire District will get new fire house, city of Republic will get dream park
 
Three ballot measures, two requesting extensions on existing sales taxes in Republic, and one requesting a property tax levy in Ash Grove, were passed by voters in their respective districts during the election held on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Republic voters approve extensions on sales taxes
In Republic, 1,818 voters (69.15-percent) cast “Yes” votes for Question One, which asked if the current one-quarter-cent sales tax used to fund the city’s general park operations, maintenance, personnel, programing and special events should be continued for another 25 years after it was scheduled to expire on March 31, 2024. About 30.85-percent of the votes, or 811, were against renewing the tax.
Republic voters also chose to extend the current capital improvements sales tax. Question Two, which asked voters if the one-quarter-of-one-percent sales tax, scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2024, should be renewed for another 25 years. During the election, 1,762 “Yes” votes (67-percent) were cast for the measure, while 868 “No” votes (33-percent) were cast against it. The funds from this tax are slated to be used to expand the city’s aquatic center, construct a new buildout at J.R. Martin Park, and pay for the construction of a new athletic sports complex.

Ash Grove voters approve tax levy for new fire station
In Ash Grove, 278 voters cast “Yes” votes (60.57-percent) for the Fire Proposition, while 181 people (39.43-percent) cast “No” votes against it. The Fire Proposition asked voters whether the Ash Grove Fire Protection District should issue a $1.65-million general obligation bond for the purposes of constructing a new fire station, purchasing a new fire truck and purchasing other equipment. The bond will be paid for with a $.38 increase in the district’s operating levy.

Voters also weighed in candidates in local and statewide races:
Locally, Greene County voters re-elected Republican Curtis Trent as Missouri State Senator for District 20. Trent received 9,938 votes (59.416-percent) during the election, while his challenger, Republican Brian Gelner, won 6,788 votes (40.584-percent). Republican Bishop Davidson was re-elected as Missouri State Representative for District 130 without opposition.
In statewide races, Republican Eric Schmitt received 14,557 votes (43.506-percent) in the race for United States Senator from Greene County voters; he also won the party’s nomination to appear on the ballot in November. Vicky Hartzler received the second highest number of votes, winning 7,655 (22.878-percent,) followed by Congressman Billy Long, who won 4,765 votes (14.241-percent) and former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, who got 4,279 votes (12.788-percent).
Among Democratic voters, Lucas Kunce was the clear favorite in Greene County for U.S. Senate, with 6,271 votes (48.238-percent). However, statewide, he lost to Trudy Busch Valentine, who ultimately secured the party’s nomination. Valentine came in second in Greene County, with 4,382 votes (33.708-percent).
In the race for United States Representative, District Seven, Eric Burlison was the choice among Republican voters in Greene County; he received 14,277     votes (42.798-percent) statewide, as well as the party’s nomination. Following behind him were Alex Bryant, with 7,258 votes (21.757-percent) and Jay Wasson with 6,672 votes (20.001-percent).
Greene County Democrats favored Kristen Radaker-Sheafer for the position of Representative; she won 7,992 votes (64.296-percent), as well as the party nomination. Coming in second was John M. Woodman, who received 3,134 votes (25.213-percent), followed by Bryce F. Lockwood, with 1,304 votes (10.491-percent).
Finally, in the race for state auditor, Greene County Republicans chose Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, who won 19,758 votes (65.285-percent), over David Gregory, who received 10,506 votes (34.715-percent). Statewide, Fitzpatrick won the party’s nomination and will face Democrat Alan Green in November. Green ran unopposed for the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Unofficial election results
The following are unofficial Aug. 2, 2022 primary
elections results from Greene County.
U.S. Senator
Republican candidates:
Patrick A Lewis 193 0.577%
Eric Schmitt 14,557 43.506%
Billy Long 4,765 14.241%
Eric Greitens 4,279 12.788%
Bernie Mowinski 96 0.287%
C.W. Gardner 83 0.248%
Deshon Porter 84 0.251%
Vicky Hartzler 7,655 22.878%
Dave Sims 79 0.236%
Mark McCloskey 604 1.805%
Eric McElroy 136 0.406%
Dennis Lee Chilton 27 0.081%
Robert Allen 87 0.260%
Dave Schatz 388 1.160%
Hartford Tunnell 40 0.120%
Kevin C. Schepers 16 0.048%
Rickey Joiner 46 0.137%
Robert Olson 37 0.111%
Russel Pealer
Breyfogle Jr 42 0.126%
Darrell Leon McClanahan III 50 0.149%
Curtis D. Vaughn 196 0.586%
Party Total: 33,460
Democratic candidates:
Lewis Rolen 193 1.485%
Gena Ross 401 3.085%
Carla Coffee Wright 438 3.369%
Josh Shipp 119 0.915%
Spencer Toder 593 4.562%
Lucas Kunce 6,271 48.238%
Jewel Kelly 313 2.408%
Clarence (Clay) Taylor 108 0.831%
Pat Kelly 120 0.923%
Trudy Busch Valentine 4,382 33.708%
Ronald (Ron)
William Harris 62 0.477%
Party Total: 13,000
State Auditor
David Gregory, Republican 10,506 34.715%
Scott Fitzpatrick, Republican 19,758 65.285%
Party Total: 30,264
Alan Green, Democrat 12,195 100%
Party Total: 12,195
U.S. Representative - District 7
Republican candidates
Jay Wasson 6,672 20.001%
Eric Burlison 14,277 42.798%
Audrey Richards 799 2.395%
Camille Lombardi-Olive 352 1.055%
Sam Alexander 1,470 4.407%
Alex Bryant 7,258 21.757%
Paul Walke 728 2.182%
Mike Moon 1,803 5.405%
Party Total: 33,359
Democratic candidates
John M. Woodman 3,134 25.213%
Kristen Radaker-Sheafer 7,992 64.296%
Bryce F. Lockwood 1,304 10.491%
Party Total: 12,43
State Senator - District 20
Curtis Trent Republican 9,938 59.416%
Brian Gelner Republican 6,788 40.584%
Party Total: 16,726
Total Votes: 16,726
State Representative - District 130
Bishop Davidson Republican 3,703 100%
Party Total: 3,703
Total Votes: 3,703
State Representative - District 131
Bill Owen Republican 5,238 100%
Party Total: 5,238
Total Votes: 5,238
Ballot issues
Republic:
Question One - Parks Tax:
Yes 1,818 69.15%
No 811 30.85%
Question Two - Parks Tax:
Yes 1,762 67%
No 868 33%
Ash Grove:
Fire Proposition:
Yes 278 60.57%
No 181 39.43%