CARROLTON, Mo. – Carroll County Clerk Peggy McGaugh announced she will be running in the special election for HD 39 which will likely take place in February. The governor has yet to announce a special election to replace her son, Rep. Joe Don McGaugh, who accepted a judicial appointment as Associate Circuit Judge for Carroll County.
“I am humbly asking for the support of my fellow Republicans serving on the committee to appoint me as their candidate for this special election,” the senior McGaugh said. “I have served the good people of Carroll County for the three decades and I look forward to continuing my public service in a larger role at the state Capitol.”
Apart from her duties as clerk, she is also the treasurer of the Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities. Previously, she was the president of the Missouri Association of Counties and served as the vice president of the Missouri Public Entities Labor Relations Association.
McGaugh was previously a member of the Secretary of State’s voter integrity task force and decided to make the transition from the county government to the state government so that she could advocate for free and fair elections. Additionally, she wants greater economic development for rural communities and to increase the number of jobs in those areas.
“During my long tenure as county clerk, I have demonstrated my ability to honor taxpayers and be a good steward of every dollar,” McGaugh said. “I am running to ensure that economic development in small rural counties stays as a priority at the State level. I would like to see more successful projects such as the Ray-Carroll ethanol plant and other ag-related development opportunities for jobs and a reason to retain our youth at home as they choose careers.”
McGaugh has retained Axiom strategies to serve as political consultants on her race.
McGaugh resides in Carrolton with her husband David.
Michael Layer is a reporter for the Missouri Times and the Missouri Times Magazine. He joined the Missouri Times in August 2017 after graduating from Goucher College the previous May. To contact Michael, email michael@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @_MichaelLayer
