Contests have developed for Butler County coroner, commissioner

Two contested races have developed for Butler County offices after only an hour and a half of filing.

Incumbents for both coroner and eastern district commissioner will see challengers in the Aug. 4 primary election, county clerk Tonyi Deffendall said.

Filing opened at 8 a.m. today for new terms for public administrator, coroner, assessor, eastern and western district commissioners, sheriff and circuit judge. Candidates for circuit judge file in Jefferson City, along with candidates for state races.

A total of seven individuals had filed this morning for county offices, all on the Republican ticket, Deffendall said.

Incumbent Andy Moore will face past coroner Jim Akers in August. Akers was unseated by Moore four years ago for the office of coroner.

Longtime eastern district commissioner Butch Anderson will face challenger Ross DeGaris.

Also filing early this morning were: incumbent Sharon Payne for public administrator; incumbent Chris Rickman for assessor; and incumbent Dennis “Boots” LeGrand for western district commissioner.

No filings had been made as of 10 a.m. for sheriff or circuit judge.

Each term up for election is for four years.

Candidates who win in the Aug. 4 primary would move on to the Nov. 3 general election.

All individuals elected for county office would be sworn in Jan. 1, except assessor. The elected assessor would take office Sept. 1, 2021.

Candidates began lining up to file about a week ago, Deffendall said. The county used a roll call process, taking names of those in line when the courthouse closed in the evening. Individuals who returned in the morning by the time the courthouse opened were allowed to hold their place in line, she said.