Election roundup: Councilman to challenge Porch for mayor in Scott City

Scott City Mayor Tim Porch faces a challenge from councilman Ron Cummins in the April municipal election.

The contest is just one of a number of races on the ballot in towns in Southeast Missouri.

Cummins has one year left on his council term. He will continue to serve on the council if he loses the mayor's race, city officials said.

The filing deadline ended Tuesday, leaving Scott City voters with choices not only in the mayoral race but for two of the city's four ward seats.

In Ward 1, councilman Bill Schwartz faces a challenge from Darren Raines. In Ward 3, there is a three-way race between former councilman Robert Tyler, Bobby Bollinger II and Matthew Koehler to replace retiring councilman Pete Wadlington.

Incumbents in Wards 2 and 4, Rodney Uhrhan and Norman Brant, respectively, are unopposed for re-election.

Cape Girardeau

Cape Girardeau has one contested race. Unlike other area towns, Cape Girardeau's filing deadline was in November as specified by its city charter. Voters in Ward 4 will choose between Robbie Guard and Patrick Koetting, who once served briefly on the council. The winner will replace longtime council member Loretta Schneider, who is term-limited.

Koetting served as an interim representative of Ward 3 until Victor Gunn was elected to the seat in 2014 after a special election to fill the unexpired term of Trent Summers, who moved out of the ward.

Koetting now lives in Ward 4.

Gunn is unopposed for re-election in Ward 3. Bob Fox is unchallenged for the Ward 5 seat. He will replace Mark Lanzotti, who will step down because of term limits.

Jackson

In Jackson, there will be no contested races. Incumbents Dave Reiminger, Larry Cunningham and Joe Baker are unopposed for re-election. Ward 1 Alderman Tim Welker is not seeking re-election. He will be replaced by former councilman Philip Penzel, who is unopposed.

Perryville

In Perryville, Missouri, Municipal Judge Wayne Keller faces opposition from Zachary Rozier. Keller was appointed judge in October to complete the unexpired term of Robert Hershey.

Mayor Ken Baer and aldermen Tom Guth, Curt Buerck and Prince Hudson are unopposed for re-election.

Chaffee

In Chaffee, there are no contested races. Council members Ronald Davis, Randy Dooley, Robert Sullivan, Ann Whistler and Ronald Eichhorn are running unopposed, although Dooley and Sullivan are switching positions. Dooley, who was serving out an unexpired term, filed for the two-year Ward 2 seat held by Robert Sullivan, whose term ends in April. Instead of running for re-election to his current seat, Sullivan filed as a candidate to fill out the unexpired term, city officials said.

Advance

Voters in Advance will choose between Ryan Schrader and William Woodard for the Ward 1 council seat. The seat is being vacated by Randy Schrader, Ryan Schrader's father. In Ward 2, incumbent Carol Blanton is unopposed for re-election.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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