Voters Decide Commission Seats, Local Questions

Challenger Jennifer Justus defeated incumbent Jerry Nolte for the Presiding Commissioner seat.

Clay County residents went to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to decide on two county commission seats and Clay County Proposition A, which primarily focuses on increasing salaries and benefits for elected officials, including linking the Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney salaries to state judge pay scales and offering health and retirement benefits to part-time County Commissioners.

In Kearney, residents also decided on Proposition P, a half-cent sales tax designed strictly to improve public safety and law enforcement. The revenue would primarily fund the recruitment and retention of qualified police officers, maintain minimum shift coverage, provide officer backup, and reduce the police department's reliance on overtime.

Clay County Commission Seats

Challenger Jennifer Justus defeated incumbent Jerry Nolte for the Presiding Commissioner seat. Justus received 55.65% of the vote in the race, compared with 43.37% for Jerry Nolte, a difference of twelve percentage points.

In the Eastern Commissioner contest, incumbent Jay Johnson won by a narrower margin, receiving 52.85% of the vote to Mark McAuliffe’s 46.41%, putting Johnson ahead by six percentage points.

Local Ballot Measures

The two ballot measures faced slightly wider margins. Clay County Proposition A drew 42.38% support, with 57.62% voting no, out of 94,035 votes. Kearney Proposition P finished an opposite split: out of 4,457 votes, 56.63% in were favor and 43.37% opposed.

Mayor Pogue thanked the residents of Kearney who participated in the election saying, “I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote and participate in the conversation about public safety in Kearney.  We appreciate the trust our community has placed in us and recognize our responsibility to use these funds wisely.  Our police officers work hard every day to keep Kearney safe, and this funding will help us continue supporting the people who serve and protect our community.”

Results in this report have not been officially certified by the Clay County Election Commissioners.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Primary Sets November Ballot for Commission, House Races

Clay County voters narrowed the field for several county commission seats Tuesday, August 4, while also helping decide a slate of statewide ballot measures that could affect local government operations.

Unofficial primary results show Jennifer Justus and incumbent Jerry Nolte advancing in the race for Clay County presiding commissioner, setting up a November contest for the county’s top commission post. In the Western Commissioner Seat 2 race, incumbent Jon Carpenter and challenger Theresa Leaming also moved on to the general election ballot.

The Eastern Commissioner race did not require a primary decision. Incumbent Jay Johnson and challenger Mark McAuliffe were already positioned to appear on the November ballot.

State House Matchups

Several Missouri House races that include Clay County voters also became clearer after the primary. In District 28, incumbent Democrat Donna Barnes will face Republican Steven W. Hinton. District 30 will feature Democrat Kevin Grover against Republican Jeff Martin, while District 39 will send Republican Mark Meirath into a general election race against Democrat Tanya Lakins. In District 56, Democrat Staci Czar will face Republican Steve Baker.

Statewide Measures Draw Local Attention

Clay County voters joined Missourians statewide in approving Amendment 1, which continues the existing soil and water conservation and state parks sales tax for another 10 years. Voters also approved Amendment 2, a change that requires Missouri charter counties, including Clay County, to elect a county assessor.

Two other proposed constitutional changes failed. Voters rejected Amendment 4, preserving the current simple statewide majority threshold for citizen-led initiative petitions, and turned down Amendment 5, which sought changes to state income and sales tax codes.

Complete unofficial primary summary data is available from the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Aldermen, Ballot Question Results

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, April 7, to decide who would serve in elected positions and if the city residents would approve a bond issue to help fund wastewater system improvements. Here are the unofficial results from the Clay County Board of Elections:

Board of Aldermen

Ward 1 Alderman incumbent Ashton King and incumbent Ward 2 Alderman David Lehman ran unopposed and were automatically reelected for those seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Kearney Question (Wastewater System Bond Issue)

Residents also voted how to finance required wastewater system improvements. Wastewater systems are funded by user fees paid by customers who use the system, not taxes.

 A “Yes” vote allows the City to use the lower-interest State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program. A “No” vote means the City would still complete the work but using traditional financing at a higher cost.

The bond issue question was soundly approved by voters. 82.3% voters were in favor of the measure, while 17.7% of voters said no.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Aldermen, School Board, and Proposition A Results

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, April 8, to decide who would serve in elected positions and if the city residents would approve a new half-cent sales tax to help fund Kearney Police initiatives. Here are the unofficial results from the Clay County Board of Elections:

Board of Aldermen

Ward 1 Alderman candidate Gerri Spencer and incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Dan Holt ran unopposed and were automatically elected for those seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Kearney School Board

Four individuals ran for two open seats on the Kearney School District:

[X] Christina Lindsay – 27.03%

Michael Joe Hickey – 5.18%

Justin Cook – 19.21%

[X] Jason Klindt – 30.34%

Proposition A

Residents also voted on Proposition A, that would allow the Kearney Police Department to expand its capabilities, update critical equipment, and effectively address the rise in activity through a half-cent sales tax.

Proposition A was narrowly defeated. 51.64% of voters said no, while 48.12% were in favor of the measure.

“I'm disappointed in the outcome, but I appreciate the continued support we receive from the community,” Chief Mark Thomas told KPGZ News. “The Kearney Police Department will always provide the service and protection to our community that we have always been committed to in the past as well as in the future.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Election Candidates, Fire District Questions Decided

Voters went to the polls on Tuesday, August 2, to choose who would run for open positions in the November General Election and if Kearney Fire District residents would fund a new fire station location, new equipment and personnel. Here are the unofficial results of how Clay County residents voted from the Clay County Board of Elections:

- Republican for U.S. Senate: Josh Hawley – 19,220 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Senate: Lucas Kunce – 11,792 votes

- Republican for Governor: Mike Kehoe – 8036 votes

- Democrat for Governor: Crystal Quade – 8245 votes

- Republican for Lieutenant Governor: Dave Wasinger – 6190 votes

- Democrat for Lieutenant Governor: Richard Brown – 9793 votes

- Republican for Secretary of State: Denny Hoskins – 4826 votes

- Democrat for Secretary of State: Barbara Phifer – 6032 votes

- Republican for State Treasurer: Vivek Malek – 9719 votes

- Democrat for State Treasurer: Mark Osmack – 15,364 votes

- Republican for Attorney General: Andrew Bailey – 12,422 votes

- Democrat for Attorney General: Elad Jonathan Gross – 15,388 votes

- Republican for U.S. Representative District 6: Sam Graves – 9462 votes

- Democrat for U.S. Representative District 6: Pam May – 4755 votes

- Republican for State Senate District 21: Doug Richey – 5406 votes

- Democrat for State Senate District 21: Jim Bates – 4464 votes

- Republican for State Representative District 8: Josh Hurlbert – 2854 votes

- Democrat for State Representative District 8: Sandy Van Wagner – 1254 votes

Artist rendering of new fire station

Kearney Fire District Question 1 and 2

Residents of the Kearney Fire District voted on Question 1 and Question 2 on the August ballot. Question 1 asked for an extension of the current bond that passed in 2010.

Funding from the no tax increase bond extension will provide funds for capital expenditures which include building a second station on the west side of I-35, immediate purchase of a new pumper for the new station, immediate replacement of a 2001 pumper, purchase a third ambulance in 2027, and replace the 2013 aerial in 2028.

Question 2 asks for a half-cent sales tax increase. Funding from the sales tax will be used for funding new staff positions at the second station, funding the increased operating costs of the second station including utilities, personal protective gear, and building maintenance, funding other equipment replacement projects including heart monitors, radios, self-contained breathing apparatus, and vehicle extraction tools, and reduce the need for future property tax increases.

Both questions needed to be approved to move the project forward.

Question 1

[X] Yes – 3316 votes

No – 1021 votes

Question 2

[X] Yes – 2875 votes

No – 1368 votes

Brian Watts contributed to this story.