Statewide elections are rolling around again and it’s time for everyone to quit complaining about Mike Parson and complain about the next person that a small percentage of the eligible voters put in office. Might even take a moment to vote in between those two things, but I suppose that is optional.
Four Republicans are already declared as in it to win it. Jay Ashcroft comes to the contest with the governor genetics. Bill Eigel is part of the “new Republicans” that are the “old” Republicans and Mike Kehoe is your basic pasty white guy former business owner and the random dude named Chris Wright, who is the obligatory “snowball’s chance in hell” candidate.
The only Democrat that has so far shown a willingness to take the beating that lies ahead is Crystal Quade who is a member of the Missouri House from the Springfield area.
Anyway, Republicans and Democrats like to complain about the governor a lot. The next governor will not be a Democrat unless Donald Trump somehow gets involved so you should study up on Ashcroft, Eigel and Kehoe.
If you’d like to jump in the race, you can officially jump in the fray starting February of 2024.
No dog in the Platte County Courthouse fight beyond my overall displeasure in county courthouses over the last decade.
Courthouses have become over securitized bunkers of government throughout this state. Most have restricted access to one entry door, and you must declare where you’re going and walk through various security measures to see the people you elected to manage and operate your government.
The old town square courthouses were generally built with two or even four entry doors to be able to be entered by “all” from “all” sides of the community. It is likely the architects of those buildings viewed the design as contributing to the “house of the people” type feel. That thought process has been obliterated in the name of “safety.”
Those days are dead, and I think it has been an overreaction to “security concerns” and more reflective of the desire of government to operate behind closed doors. But call me old fashioned.
On a side note, Missouri has way too many counties. Like many states, the county system is government overkill, and it will never be rectified. It was designed when you had to ride your horse from Iatan to the Platte County Courthouse to do your business. They have combustible engine vehicles that can get you there now and more likely an internet connection will get you there.
Missouri has 114 counties. Arizona has 15. That’s 99 less big, expensive courthouses if you’re not good at math.
It is similar to school districts. The taxpayers and elected officials hang on to yesteryear, despite all financial logic saying fewer districts would make more financial sense, all while complaining about the costs.
Just in case you’re strongly considering that governor run, the annual salary is $133,821 and a cool house to live in.
(Guy Speckman can be found trying to get through courthouse security throughout the state)