City finalizes field of candidates for St. Joseph mayor, city council primaries next February

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- City officials have confirmed the full field of candidates vying for mayor, city council and municipal judge in next year's elections.

All eight city council seats, including mayor and municipal judge, will be up for election next year, a consequential voting cycle for residents and local government.

The primary election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, followed by the general election on Tuesday, April 7.

Mayor candidates

St. Joseph's incumbent mayor and three new challengers have thrown their hat into the ring to become the next mayor. New challengers include Jonathan McClain, Larry Miller and Kenneth Reeder.

• John Josendale -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
  
• Jonathan McClain -- seeking first term in office
  
• Larry Miller -- seeking first term in office
  
• Kenneth Reeder -- seeking first term in office

City Council candidates -- At-large seats (4)

The upcoming race for at-large City Council seats (4) will feature four new challengers and four incumbent councilmembers.

• Collin Clibon -- seeking first term in office
  
• Frederick Martin -- seeking first term in office
  
• Gary Wilkinson -- new challenger, former city councilman
  
• Dakota Allen -- seeking first term in office
  
• Marty Novak -- incumbent, seeking third term in office
  
• Randy S. Schultz -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
  
• Jeff Schomburg -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
  
• Kenton Randolph -- incumbent, seeking second term in office

City Council candidates -- District seats (4)

Elections for City Council district seats with feature two notable races for both District 3 and District 4. On the other hand, incumbent councilmembers in District 1 and District 2 will run unopposed.

• District 1
  • Madison Davis -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
    
• District 2
  • Jason Eslinger -- incumbent, seeking first full term in office
    
• District 3
  • Dana Stickley -- seeking first term in office
  • Andrew Trout -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
    
• District 4
  • Michael G. Grimm -- incumbent, seeking second term in office
  • Russell Moore -- challenger, former city councilman

Municipal Judge

In the election for municipal judge, incumbent Laura Chavez is set to run unopposed.

A native of St. Joseph and graduate of Bishop LeBlond High School, Missouri Western State University and Creighton University, Chavez was appointed to the position by City Councilmembers in April following the death of judge Ted Elo.

Chavez worked as a prosecutor in St. Joseph for 10 years before taking office.

Recap

With all city council positions and mayor up for election, the positions of mayor and four at-large councilmembers will be elected to serve four-year terms, while the four district councilmembers will be elected to an initial two-year term.

Any official who receives a majority of votes during the primary election will automatically be appointed to office.