FOUR QUALIFY TO BE PLACED ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
The Platte County Board of Elections completed verification of petition signatures for four independent candidates, and the four later announced they are calling themselves the Neighbors First Coalition.
The group–consisting of Kevin Robinson, Dale Brouk, Holly Cayer and Chris Kendall–says their petition effort shows they have “demonstrated understanding of the importance of community, not division.”
In a press release issued July 28, the four say: “The county is faced with significant decisions and hurdles in the coming years. Do we want more of the same, or movement away from the extremists?”
On Friday, July 24, the board of elections announced the final verified numbers show all four persons who submitted petitions have enough signatures to be certified for the November general election ballot.
“Throughout the petition drive, coalition members spent weeks meeting residents where they live, work, and gather. Rather than relying solely on campaign advertising or social media, the candidates engaged directly with citizens, listening to their concerns, answering questions, and discussing the issues that matter most to Platte County families,” the four independent candidates stated in a news release.
All four had submitted more than 1,200 signatures to be reviewed. Following are the verified signature totals, according to the board of elections:
The office of treasurer needed 914 signatures. Chris Kendall received 1,211 signatures.
The office of presiding commissioner needed 813 signatures. Dale Brouk received 1,164 signatures.
The office of auditor needed 606 signatures. Kevin Robinson received 1,232 signatures.
The office of collector needed 626 signatures. Holly Cayer received 1,192 signatures.
As independent candidates, voters will not see the names of these four on the August primary ballot but rather will see them on the ballot in the November general election.
It should be noted that “Independent” is not an officially recognized political party in Missouri. Instead, it describes voters or candidates who do not belong to any political party.
PRESS RELEASE
“A group of four independent candidates now being called the Neighbors First Coalition turned in on Friday, July 17 significantly more petition signatures than required to be placed on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as independent candidates. Ten days ahead of the filing deadline, the record-breaking number of petition signatures ranged from 20% to almost 50% more than what was needed,” says a press release issued by the four this week.
“With more than 1,200 signatures gathered from all corners of the county, the wide mobilization supporting these independent candidates is evident. People, Republicans, Democrats, and other political perspectives, are asking for change and a break-away from the establishment and party leadership influence, campaign strategists, and wealthy donors from out of state influencing Platte County’s local government,” the group says.
“Through the process of gathering the needed signatures, there have been engaging conversations rather than party-line rhetoric and promotion of out of touch policies that benefit the establishment. The effort is meeting the people, where they are. The four independent candidates have proven their qualifications for the offices they seek and their ability to walk the walk, not talk the walk as endless social media reiterations and social media posts about draining the swamp and ending the corruption. The voters are showing they want a choice and they know at the local level, their voice, and vote, matters,” the group says.
“The four candidates have demonstrated their understanding of the importance of community, not division. The county is faced with significant decisions and hurdles in the coming years. Do we want more of the same, or movement away from the extremists?” the press release goes on to state. “Ultimately, the choice belongs to the voters.”
The group says “the overwhelming response during the petition process reflects growing support among Republicans, Democrats, and independents for local leadership that places neighbors before political parties.”
