This is a part of a series on local politics that are connected to the Capitol.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Former Speaker Pro Tem and secretary of state candidate Shane Schoeller is running for clerk of Greene County. Schoeller has been around the Capitol since he graduated from college, working on campaigns and in offices until he himself held office. If elected, the Capitol will be seeing Schoeller again.
“If elected, I look forward to working with the Missouri Association of Counties and the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities and attending meetings as each association has them in Jefferson City as well as engaging in legislation as may be needed going through the legislature during session pertaining to the duties of the county clerk,” Schoeller told The Missouri Times.
Schoeller is running to replace currently clerk Richard Struckhoff, who is retiring.
“I am committed to winning this race through meeting the voters and letting them know my pledge to maintain the highest level of integrity in our elections process and continue the strong reputation set forth by our current County Clerk Richard Struckhoff to carry out every duty of the office to the highest standard,” he said.
With so much experience in the legislature and campaigns, Schoeller has a clear vision for his campaign.
“I’m a firm believer in keeping the focus on each voter and letting them know who you are as opposed to talking about your opposition,” he said. “When running for office it’s important to keep at the forefront the purpose of the position you are running for and why you are running for it. Equally important is conveying your vision and why you have the best background and experience to be entrusted by the voters to carry out the duties of the office. In that aspect running to be Greene County Clerk parallels with running for the state legislature or Secretary of State and I will work hard to earn their trust this November 4.”
Schoeller has unique experience, which he believes will help him, if elected.
“I’m the only candidate with experience working in the state office that oversees elections,” Schoeller said. “When I worked in the office of the Missouri Secretary of State, the chief election official for our state, I learned a great deal about statutes pertaining to our elections, the cost of elections, the actual logistics of preparing for and conducting elections, and the emerging technology that further enables us to ensure timely, accurate results.”
Schoeller told The Missouri Times about his passion regarding the responsibilities that the clerk has. Greene county has a population of over a quarter-million people and is represented by 8 state representatives and 2 state senators.
“Elections are the most visible portion of the duties administered by the County Clerk. Conducting elections that are fair, accessible, and trusted by all voters is essential to maintaining the trust and assurance of the public each time they cast a ballot. The Office of County Clerk also oversees tax administration, county archives, payment of county expenditures, payroll and the Notary of public. I am committed to serving the citizens of Greene County and carrying out all the duties of the office to the highest standard while continually looking for areas of improvement through innovation and technology.”
“I also understand the importance of this position’s duty to be impartial and fair,” Schoeller continued. “When I served as the Speaker Pro Tem in the House, I was honored to be unanimously elected by both sides of the aisle in a role that requires good-faith and fairness in addition to a firm knowledge of the rules to ensure they’re followed when legislation is being debated and amended by the entire body. Trust is the cornerstone of public service and I have worked hard to earn the trust of both constituents and a diverse array of colleagues. I believe my track record of service demonstrates my ability to focus precisely on my given duties and my determination to work in partnership to find solutions.”
One issue that Schoeller is looking towards is the update of voter equipment. After equipment updates in 2000 and 2006, it is coming time for it to be updated again.
“We have time now to research the best voting equipment available and determine how best to pay for it assuming there will no federal dollars to help purchase the voting equipment as occurred in 2006,” Schoeller said. “It’s important to protect the integrity of every election by ensuring the voting equipment works without error & continue Greene County’s excellent tradition of elections that are law abiding, transparent & trusted by all voters. I know I have past experience and knowledge necessary to continue the strong reputation set forth by Richard and his experienced team in the office.”
Schoeller made it clear to The Missouri Times that he plans to put his past experience to work, if elected, and continue to serve Greene Countians to the best ideal of a public servant.
“It’s important that any elected official have a connection to the process whereby we fund government,” Schoeller said. “The opportunity to work for small businesses in the past has given me real insight into the needs and expectations they have in terms of how their tax dollars are spent on their behalf at all levels of government. This insight that was crucial to public-private collaboration and common sense decision-making when I served on committees in the legislature that reviewed budget appropriations, utilities, taxation and revenue, and when I chaired the disaster recovery committee after the Joplin tornado of 2011 during my time in the Missouri General Assembly. I know if elected that it will be important to build on this foundation and work to make it stronger through open and transparent dialogue so essential to trusted public service.”
Schoeller will face Rusty Aton, a teacher and writer, in the general election.
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.
