This is part of an ongoing series regarding Capitol connections to local politics. Emily Clark Parks won the Republican nomination after the death of the former Butler County Collector.
What is your background? What is your connection to the Capitol? What is your Republican involvement?
I am a 6th generation Butler Countian. I was raised here in Poplar Bluff by my wonderful parents, John and Jeannette Clark. I guess you could say my interest in public service began at a young age while helping my father with his campaigns. While attending the University of Missouri, I was fortunate enough to intern at the State Capitol. After graduation, I took a job with Capitol Consulting, LLC in Jefferson City. Our firm specialized in political fundraising for Republican candidates. After getting married, my husband and I moved back to Poplar Bluff. Sadly, Circuit Court Clerk Betty Scott passed away not long thereafter. At that time, knowing that Cindi Bowman was the ideal candidate to fill that position, I joined in the effort to get her appointed. Unfortunately, it was determined that Cindi had a residency problem that prevented her from being appointed. I volunteered to accept the appointment and hold that position only until Cindi could meet the residency requirements before the next election. That was my pledge to Cindi, the Republican Party, and the citizens of Butler County. And as such, Governor Matt Blunt appointed me to serve as Circuit Court Clerk and I held that position until the next election. Fortunately, Cindi ran unopposed in the next election and she has been our Circuit Clerk ever since! Since then, I have served as the Director of Development and Governmental Affairs at Three Rivers College.
The fundraising experiences and the contact with office holders and candidates throughout the state and federal platforms have given me a unique background. Not only has my background given me the professional experience that I feel is needed in the Office of Collector but it has given me the opportunity to follow my other passion of promoting sound Republican values and getting to know and work with some phenomenal Republican personalities. No matter what happens with the position of County Collector I will continue to work in every way possible to support the efforts of the Party and the local Committee. My present position at the college limits me somewhat in that I have to be careful not to offend potential donors with other party affiliations. I hope that I have the opportunity to be in the position of Butler County Collector where I don’t have to hesitate to participate more actively in Republican causes while at the same time understanding that every individual dealing with any local office holder deserves to be treated professionally with respect and dignity.
Why collector? Why now?
Obviously the Collectors Office was vacated by the death of Brenda Fox. She was an outstanding role model not only as an individual but as to how that Office should be run.
The Collector is responsible for not just receiving the millions of dollars in tax revenue but for meticulous record keeping to accurately reflect the receipt and distribution of those funds. That is a tremendous responsibility. I am a “detail” person. I have the educational background, I have the experience in handling millions of dollars in my current and previous job responsibilities. I have experience in supervising eighteen employees in the Butler County Courthouse as former Circuit Clerk. My time there reminded me just how much I enjoyed working with and for the citizens of Butler County. Since the Collectors Office is all about handling funds for the citizens and since my entire work experience has been just that…I am honored that the Republican Party has chosen me as their candidate.
Are there any changes you’d like to enact as collector?
First of all, I will say I have great confidence and respect for the way Brenda Fox ran the Collector’s Office. She, more than anyone, had the best insight into what is involved in all the responsibilities of that office. With that said, I am committed to dedication to better tax payer services through innovation and treating all citizens with respect and compassion.
In these days of electronic payments and on-line services I look forward to working with other Collectors Office throughout the State to study and implement improvements in providing service that have been tried and proven to make things more efficient and convenient for those the Office serves.
What’s it like running in a three-way general election (for your first election)? What was it like to go through a party nomination process?
While on similar scale, the party nomination process is not too dissimilar from running in an election. In both processes you reach out to your votes and show them why you are the best candidate for the position. Any campaign, whether it be in a primary election, general election or party nomination, requires lots of hard work and grass roots support.
Has your family been involved with the campaign? What has the campaign consisted of? What has the voter response been to your candidacy?
I am a lucky person. My husband Chad, my parents, John and Jeanette Clark, my Grandmothers Mildred Clark and Henrietta Luecke and all of my extended family and many friends not only supported me in this effort they are out there working hard with me. We are all knocking on doors, walking parades, making phone calls and are having fun and enjoying being out visiting with and listening to our fellow Butler Countians. My Great-Great-Great Grandfather Clark moved his Family to Poplar Bluff in 1894…120 years ago! And then only from Ripley County where they had lived since before the Civil War.
I am proud to say that virtually every person I have met with and talked to has been unwavering in their support. I am humbled…yet I have continued to encourage them to be sure and get to the polls or vote absentee…we need and appreciate their support.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
