Incumbent upset in race for Clay County presiding commissioner

In the Republican primary Tuesday for Clay County presiding commissioner, incumbent Pamela Mason was upset by challenger Jerry Nolte, a former Missouri representative.

Mason received 48 percent, and Nolte received 52 percent.

Nolte will face Jay S. Swearingen in the November general election.

That was among a number of races decided on the Missouri side of the metro area:

Clay County

County clerk: Voters chose political newcomer Megan Thompson over incumbent Sheri Chapman for the Republican nomination. Thompson captured 63 percent of the vote vs. 37 percent for Chapman. In the general election, Thompson will face Sherry C. Duffett, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

County auditor: In another highly contested race, incumbent Sheila Ernzen defeated Dale McCaslin in the Democratic primary. Ernzen took 68 percent of the vote against 32 percent for McCaslin. She will now face Carol McCaslin, who was unopposed in the Republican primary and is the wife of Dale McCaslin.

Recorder of deeds: Katee Porter easily defeated incumbent Jay Lawson for the Republican nomination. Porter, a former eastern Clay County commissioner, took 62 percent. Lawson, who also had previously served as eastern commissioner, received 38 percent.

No Democrat filed for the office.

Collector of revenue: Lydia McEvoy, the incumbent, defeated challenger Bill Doores in the Republican primary. McEvoy received 65 percent, while Doores took 35 percent.

Platte County

Presiding commissioner: Ron Schieber defeated Jim Plunkett and Russ Wojtkiewicz in the Republican primary. Schiever received 49 percent, Plunkett earned 38 percent and Wojtkiewicz 12 percent. No Democrat filed for the office.

County clerk: Nancy Armstrong defeated Robert Boyer. No Democrat filed for the office. Armstrong received 64 percent of the vote, and Boyer got 36 percent.

Independence

Two candidates emerged from a four-candidate primary for the 4th District seat on the Independence City Council. Tom Van Camp and Laura Dominik received 37 percent and 28 percent of the vote, with Tim Watkins and Josh Crocker receiving 21 percent and 15 percent.

Van Camp and Dominik now will face each other in November for the right to represent the district, which encompasses much of southwestern Independence. Van Camp had spoken of his concern about high rates from the city’s water and electric utilities, while Dominik had discussed how to meet the needs of the city’s Police Department.

The winner in November will replace Eileen Weir, recently elected mayor of Independence.

Sugar Creek

Voters voted down the construction of a proposed $1.5 million wellness center.

The measure required a four-sevenths majority, and only 29 percent voted yes.

The city acquired the former post office at South Sterling and Thompson avenues in 2012.

Voter approval would have authorized the city to issue up to $1.5 million in bonds to execute a plan developed by a design firm. Passage would have authorized a tax increase of 23 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for 15 years.

The center would have had meeting and child care space, as well as fitness equipment and showers.

This story was originally published August 5, 2014 at 10:14 PM with the headline "Incumbent upset in race for Clay County presiding commissioner."