Republican candidates speak at Lincoln Day Banquet

On Saturday night, attendees at the Lincoln Day Banquet held at the Kennett Country Club and sponsored by the Dunklin Country Republican Committee heard from a group of local, state, and national legislators and hopefuls to the legislation.

Before the event, attendees had the chance to meet and speak to each of the legislators running in the 2018 elections that included: Congressman Jason Smith, Representative Andrew McDaniel, Tony Monetti, Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeff McCormick, Nicholas Jain, Connie Green, Saundra McDowell, Kent Hampton, and Nick Perrymon representing Josh Hawley.

Congressman Jason Smith spoke about his association with President Donald Trump and progress that is being made during the first year of the new administration. He stressed the fact that Republicans were going to have to get out the vote and promote the truth to take the U.S. Senate seat and to keep current seats in the house and senate.

After Smith, the next speaker for the evening was Missouri House of Representative Andrew McDaniel. His current district 150 encompasses parts of both Dunklin and Pemiscot counties. A former deputy sheriff, McDaniel has served two terms since 2014 and is looking for a third term in 2018. McDaniel referenced the problems in the state senate, as well as the importance of protecting the 2nd Amendment from the attack on gun rights. “They are trying to put restriction on us through the state and federal levels,” warned McDaniel. “Freedom will be taken away from us quickly if we don’t maintain majorities in the U.S. and state levels. They can swiftly turn fast and in a blink of an eye if we don’t maintain these majorities.” He thanked everyone for allowing him to serve the district.

Robert Mayer, 35th Circuit Judge, was next to speak to the group. In 2012, Mayer was elected to the position as District Judge, and he is seeking re-election this year. According to Mayer, the circuit court handles anywhere from 150 to 200 criminal cases every two weeks in Dunklin County, and that doesn’t count the 80-100 cases in Stoddard County. “It is a heavy case load, and it is a challenge, but it is rewarding,” said Mayer. “As your circuit judge we are always seeking to do justice, we want to be fair and we want to look at the facts in the case. We want to look at the law, and we want to be fair with everyone who comes through no matter their social economic status.”

Prosecuting Attorney Jeff McCormick, who is seeking a second term for Dunklin County, spoke to the group. With over 15 years of legal experience, McCormick during his time as Prosecuting Attorney has prosecuted over 5,000 criminal cases and hopes to continue to serve Dunklin County. At 44 years old, McCormick said of the Democrat party, “The party of what I thought I was, left.” Being from Missouri, he said he has always held conservative values, and it was not a giant leap from one to the other. “The values of this party are absolutely the values I have always had and what represents me,” declared McCormick. “This is where I wanted to be…for the first time, no matter what, in the next election cycle, Dunklin County will have the first Republican prosecutor that it has ever had.” McCormick praised Gibson for her work in expanding the party and being the driving force behind it. “It is nice to be a part of this party and to have things that are occurring, to be on the move, and taking a step forward all the time.” He then asked for everyone’s vote and the opportunity to serve again.

Nicholas Jain, who is also seeking the position of Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney, addressed the group. Jain is a native of Kennett and after law school moved to Springfield where he joined the Green County prosecuting attorney’s office, specializing in domestic violence, driving while intoxicated and white-collar crimes. “I’m running because I want to prosecute tough and smart, support law enforcement, and I want to work tirelessly to fight crime in Dunklin County,” said Jain. “I want to apply all of the things I learned in Springfield to work here in Dunklin County.” He explained how working closely with law enforcement to the point of going through training, DUI testing, and child forensics improves his ability to ask the best questions. He said being accessible to the victims is one of the biggest assets to successful prosecution. “I promise that if I’m elected prosecutor, I will work as hard as I can to do the best job that I can,” he said. “I’m asking you for your vote and I’m asking you for your trust as the next prosecutor for Dunklin County.”

Next to speak was Connie Green who is seeking the position of Recorder of Deeds since the current recorder, Susan Luce, is retiring. With her slogan, “Go Green!” she charmed the audience with her wit and since of humor, but quickly showed her serious side. She worked in the county clerk’s office for 12 years, before transferring to the recorder’s office. “When I heard about the job in the recorder’s office, I was excited for another challenge,” said Green. “The recorder’s office runs like a well-oiled machine, and Susan has done a great job at keeping it up-to-date.” She explained how the office works and what they do, then she concluded by saying. “I sincerely want to be your next recorder of deeds, and if elected, I can promise this office will continue as always to be a constant service to the people in this county,” she said. “I will consider it a great privilege to be entrusted by the people of Dunklin County to maintain and protect one of our most valuable resources, your records, ‘where good deeds last forever!’”

Although, Dr. Chancellor Wayne did not speak at the meeting, Gibson recognized and introduced him as the candidate seeking a city position on the Kennett City Council. He moved back to Kennett in 1995 and has a chiropractic office on St. Francis St.

The last of the series of candidates who spoke at the Lincoln Day Banquet will be in Saturday’s edition of the DDD.