South county voters will have a number of statewide choices to make in next Tuesday’s primary election.
However, the only Missouri House race south county voters will decide is in District 96, as Republicans David Gregory of Sunset Hills and Dan Reuter of Concord are vying for their party’s nod. The seat currently is held by Republican Mike Leara, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. The primary winner will be unopposed in November.
Voters will have a difficult choice, given the impressive credentials of both candidates, neither of whom has held elective office. Both are attorneys. Gregory, 31, is a founding partner of Drivers Defense Counsel, while Reuter, 65, is an elder law and estate planning attorney.
Both candidates also have influential supporters — Gregory is being backed by Leara, Sunset Hills Mayor Pat Fribis and Sunset Hills Ward 1 Alderman Dee Baebler, among others. Baebler actually has worked in a paid capacity for Gregory’s campaign. Among Reuter’s supporters are former Rep. Carl Hendrickson, R-Concord, and former Lindbergh Chief Financial Officer Pat Lanane.
Both candidates share similar views on more than a number of issues, yet we believe Reuter’s many years as a practicing attorney and longtime record of community involvement make him the best-qualified to serve as state representative.
Lemay committeewoman
Lemay Township voters will have a choice next Tuesday for the Republican committeewoman’s post, as Oakville resident Linda Bowen is challenging incumbent Teresa Douglas of south county for the volunteer post that carries a four-year term.
As committeewoman, Douglas has attended many County Council meetings, voicing her opposition to such initiatives as Complete Streets and rental licenses for residential rental property licenses.
Bowen staunchly opposed the Mehlville School District’s Proposition R last fall. Despite her efforts, the 49-cent tax-rate increase passed by historic margins, the first of unprecedented back-to-back ballot measures for the district.
The Call typically does not make endorsements in races for committee posts, but given the unusual campaign Bowen is waging, we urge voters to re-elect Douglas to the Lemay Township GOP committeewoman’s post.
