It is almost, but not quite, full blown campaign season in Platte County. Much going on and much more rumored to be going on. This week for funsies, let’s spend some time going over what we know and what we’re hearing.
Here’s a tidbit that we know.
A source tells me that Platte County Sheriff Erik Holland and Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd met with Dale Brouk in a coffee shop in Platte City on Friday. Dale Brouk is widely discussed as being a candidate for presiding commissioner against Scott Fricker. Brouk was formerly connected with The National development team in Parkville but is now broker and development officer for the Loch Lloyd Real Estate Team. Brouk is widely viewed as being a formidable candidate, professional with an even-keeled temperament who should have zero problems raising campaign cash.
As you know, the sheriff and the prosecutor are mad–someone might say bigly mad–at Fricker over the county commission’s recent decision to slice the auditor-recommended five percent salary increases for county employees, including law enforcement personnel, down to 2.5 percent increases. It seems safe to assume the meeting with Brouk is a sign the sheriff and prosecutor are not in the re-elect Fricker camp.
Local Republicans say there in fact is–potentially–a third GOP candidate for presiding commissioner in addition to Fricker and Brouk. Dr. Gena Ross is also planning to run on the Republican ticket, according to local politicos.
And last week, Mary McKenna posted on her Facebook page that she will be running for presiding commissioner. I have not personally spoken with her but McKenna, I’m told, will be running as a Democrat. She is another candidate who should be able to raise some cash, one would think. Her name may be familiar to many of you–she is a former radio host on the KFKF morning show.
Remember as we get into this that every name listed is “potentially” a candidate. If we want to be technical, no one really “officially” becomes a candidate until they file for office, and that doesn’t open till Feb. 24.
County clerk: Incumbent Jera Pruitt will be seeking reelection, according to local Republicans. Mary Calvillo has established a Facebook page that refers to her as “Mary Calvillo for Platte County Clerk. And there are rumors there is another challenger looming.
On the Democratic side, Hans Peter has created a campaign committee for an apparent run for county clerk.
County auditor: Incumbent Kevin Robinson, it is believed, will be seeking reelection. Laura Waldon intends to run against him in the Republican primary.
County recorder of deeds: Chris Wright will be running for reelection. I spoke with Wright on the phone early this week and asked him how things are going at the administration building, because he’s usually good for a quote, sometimes unhinged and with a little profanity tossed in. “It’s a damn mess over here. I’m on a hill of one just screaming,” he said. Lol. More on my conversation with Wright at a later time. No word yet on any challengers for Wright.
County collector: Republicans are saying Sheila Palmer, incumbent, will run for reelection. No challengers are known at this time.
Prosecutor: Eric Zahnd, longtime prosecutor, has announced his candidacy for another term. There are no known challengers at this time. Zahnd is extremely worked up and passionate about the county commission’s move to raise county employee salaries by 2.5 percent instead of the auditor-recommended five percent.
County treasurer: The unexpired term of county treasurer is on the ballot this year. This election will fill the final two years of Rob Willard’s term for which he was elected in 2024. Willard then resigned in early 2025 and Christopher Kendall was appointed to the post. I believe when he received the appointment Kendall indicated that he would be seeking election when the post came on the ballot. There are rumors of a challenger emerging, though nothing solid on this front as of yet.
More local political notes.
State senator: State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer is termed out, which is sad news to our page 3 columnist Guy Speckman, who is unofficial head of Team Tony. So far two Republicans have expressed interest in the spot, Nathan Willett, currently a Kansas City city councilman; and current 13th district State Rep. Sean Pouche.
13th district state representative: It’s an open seat because Pouche has indicated he’ll be running for state senate. There was some chatter that Pouche may be having second thoughts about a senate race and is considering running for state rep again, but that could just be noise. John Elliott, Republican, a former county commissioner, has announced he’ll be running for 13th district state rep.
12th district state representative: Mike Jones, incumbent Republican, has announced he’ll be running for a second term. He won by a tight margin two years ago. Democrats have targeted this spot as one they’ll be working hard to win back. Tracey Steele, of Parkville, is an attorney who has announced he’ll be running on the Democrat ticket.
14th district state representative: Ashley Aune, Democrat, is the incumbent, and Republicans can’t deny that she has made a name for herself in Jefferson City. She’ll be tough for Republicans to overcome. Frank Pendleton, Republican, has said he’ll be running again after an unsuccessful attempt two years ago.
Great college football championship game Monday night. My $20 futures ticket on Miami, Fla. at 75-1 that I told you about last week did not come home, however, as heavy favorite Indiana pulled off the 27-21 victory. I did let the ticket ride, using as a limited hedge a $200 investment on Miami +7.5 pregame. Would have cashed $1500 if Miami won outright, had to settle for $200 based on Miami beating the spread.
Didn’t get the big prize but when you put ice cream money on a 75-1 longshot you’re really not expecting to cash it. It was a fun ride for only $20 that carried my interest through a college football playoff that otherwise would have been a yawn.
(If you’re planning a run for office and your name isn’t mentioned here email Foley at ivan@plattecountylandmark.com)
