General election highlighted by senate races, unopposed local battles

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Residents of Perry County will be able to have their voices heard through casting ballots and ballot boxes next week. Perry Countians can take part in the General Election on Nov. 8.
All the local offices such as the Associate Circuit Judge (Craig Brewer), Presiding Commissioner (Mike Sauer), Perry County Clerk (Jared Kutz), Circuit Court Clerk (Jennifer Hotop), Recorder of Deeds (Dana Pritchard), and Prosecuting Attorney (Caitlin Pistorio) will all run unopposed in the upcoming election.
Katie Schemel, who won the election for Perry County Treasurer over Jan (Huber) Mezo (1,595-1,300) in the August primary election will also run unopposed as the Republican candidate.
Kutz who will retain his County Clerk position is honored for being elected for another term.
“All the county officials are unopposed and I’m one of those people and I’m humbled and honored to serve the citizens of Perry County for another four years. I’m sure I can speak for the other officials as well.”
Kutz believes the fact that the races are unopposed speaks highly of the individuals who are in the positions.

“I think it says a lot about the candidates and those who have been asked to continue in their positions,” Kutz said. “It’s a show of confidence in what they have done for the county so far, or they won a contested primary battle. The local offices are very important because there are a lot things that go on in county government that without these office holders we wouldn’t get much done.”
Despite all local race being unopposed, Kutz still urged residents to flock to the polls in order to vote for several state races that he finds interesting and vital to citizens of Missouri.
There are four candidates including Eric Schmitt (Republican) and Trudy Busch Valentine (Democrat) who are on the ballot for the United State Senator position that was vacated by Roy Blunt and the Missouri State Auditor position is also up for grabs between three candidates including Scott Fitzpatrick (Republican) and Alan Green (Democrat). Congressman Jason Smith is also up for re-election as the District 8 United State Representative.
There are also a few amendments on the ballot to be decided.
“Typically, the local races drive turnout a little bit,” Kutz said. “However, this time around the races that will really drive turnout will be the United State Senate race that we will vote on and the constitutional amendments. [Monday] was the highest number of people we have had voting absentee, but I am not seeing a huge turnout at this point. That may change over the course of the week, but I have my predictions at about 48 percent.”
Kutz noted his prediction is a little lower than the last general election.
“In 2018’s general election, turnout was about 59 percent, so I would consider this a down year, If I am correct.” he said.