Nearly a dozen candidates turned out for the annual Howard County Farm Bureau Strawberry Festival held  at the Fayette City Park on the hot evening of Tuesday, June 31. HCFB president Chris Rohlfing welcomed the candidates from here in Howard County, along with those as far away as Kansas City running for Missouri’s new 5^th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell, running unopposed on the GOP ticket, outlined rules for the upcoming primary election. Other uncontested candidates were also on hand, including Circuit Clerk Teresa Syferd, Public Administrator Lisa Asbury, and Prosecutor Deborah Riekhof.

Two of three candidates for county treasurer greeted nearly 100 attendees. Republican Stacie McCutcheon and Independent Sarah Thompson outlined their qualifications and plans for the job if elected. McCutcheon will face Michelle Johnmeyer in the August 4 primary. The winner will run against Thompson in the November general election.

Incumbent Jerimiah Johnmeyer touted his experience over two terms as Howard County Presiding Commissioner. His opponent in the Republican primary, Jared Wies, was absent due to an “issue on the farm.”

For the Missouri legislature, Fayette Democrat Hope Tinker is challenging GOP incumbent Tim Taylor for District 48 representative. Both delivered their respective platforms.

A highlight for Republican voters was the visiting with five of the eight candidates on the GOP primary ballot for the newly formed 5^th Congressional District. One of those was Fayette’s own Brad Patty, a veteran who touted himself as the only primary candidate who actually lives within the district. Brett Hueffmeier, Taylor Burks, current state senator Rick Brattin, and Micah Beebe also spoke. Rounding out the candidates was Kyle Wilkins, a  representative of Democratic incumbent Emanuel Cleaver, who was in Washington D.C. the night of the festival.