One contested race has developed for the August primary in Butler County, which will see nine positions up for re-election.
Donna Hillis, Kyle Aubuchon and Kim Mizell have filed for the position of county clerk. Current county clerk Tonyi Deffendall is retiring after more than 20 years in the position.
Hillis, Aubuchon and Mizell have filed as Republicans. No Democrats have filed for the office, or other Butler County offices. The primary election will be held Aug. 2, with the successful candidates moving on to the Nov. 8 general election.
Also up for re-election are: Tammy Marler, treasurer; Vince Lampe, presiding commissioner; Cindi Bowman, circuit clerk; Wade Pierce, associate circuit judge Division II; Debbie Lundstorm, recorder of deeds; Emily Clark-Parks, collector; John Shock, associate judge Division III; and Kacey Proctor, prosecuting attorney. All have filed for re-election on Republican tickets.
Mizell filed for office late Tuesday afternoon. She is a current employee of the Butler County Recorder of Deeds office. No additional information was available as of press time.
Hillis and Aubuchon had filed prior to the closing day.
Hillis has worked for the Butler County Highway Department for 27 years as an office manager.
“A lot of what I’ve done here over the last 27 years is work within our budget and help make sure we don’t go over,” said Hillis, 54, who also manages county 911 addressing. “I’m just wanting to be able to serve Butler County from a different office in a little different capacity.”
Hillis previously worked for the city of Poplar Bluff for two years. She and her family have lived in Butler County for over 40 years.
Aubuchon currently serves as Boards and Commissions director for Gov. Mike Parson, a role he has held since the beginning of the Parson administration in June 2018, according to a press release. Aubuchon previously served as a field representative for Congressman Jason Smith.
He first came to Poplar Bluff in 2012 as campaign manager for former State Sen. Doug Libla. Upon the successful election, he served as chief of staff from 2013-2017, including managing the successful re-election in 2016.
“The people of Butler County and Southeast Missouri welcomed me into their community, and I quickly discovered this is where I wanted to call home,” said Aubuchon. “Running for county clerk is an opportunity to share my experiences and background in helping the Butler countians I am proud to call neighbors and friends, and look forward to making many more.”
Hillis is married to Danny Hillis. Their daughter, Holly Fowler, and son-in-law, Jordan Fowler, have two children, Peyton, 4, and Grayson, 15 months.
Aubuchon, his wife Ashley, and their daughter, call Poplar Bluff home. They are active members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and supporters of the Poplar Bluff Mules Booster Club.
County office terms are for four years.
Proctor, Pierce and Marler are currently completing their first terms in office.