JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — First-year Republican Congressman Jason Smith, who won his seat in a special election earlier this year, has named his co-chairmen for his re-election campaign and announced his entire grassroots leadership for the 30-county 8th Congressional district.
Smith served as Speaker Pro Tem in the Missouri House of Representatives prior to winning his seat in a special election after U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson resigned mid-term.
While Smith currently has no primary challenger, Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who contended with Smith during the special election, has expressed interest in the seat and formed an exploratory committee.
Missouri state Rep. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff will serve as co-chairman of Smith’s campaign with Cape Girardeau community leader and organizer, Doug Austin, according to the release from Smith’s office.
Richardson, who ran against Smith in the special election, said “no one works harder” for constituents than Smith, and offers his full support.
Along with co-chairmen, Smith’s team also announced the organizers in each county in the district who will be tasked with mobilizing the grassroots effort.
The entire list can be found here:
- Bollinger County: Dr. Bev Peters, Shelley Keeney
- Butler County: Hardy Billington, Jay Decker, Joe Knodell
- Cape Girardeau County: Wayne Bowen, Holly Lintner, Walter Wright
- Carter County: Tom and Gail Cox, Rocky Kingree
- Crawford County: Bill and Catherine Lange, Don Myers, Jean Stubblefield
- Dent County: Mike Homeyer, Joyce Karnes, Clifton Parker, Adam and Mary Beth Patrick
- Douglas County: Van Kelly, Ross McElvain
- Dunklin County: Joe Droke, Bill Hampton, Rich Richardson, Jason Bean
- Howell County: Jeremy Burks, Ward Franz, Steve Privette
- Iron County: Tony Harbison
- Jefferson County: Terri Kreitler, Mark Paul
- Madison County: Dennis Bradford
- Mississippi County: Carlin Bennett, David Caruthers, Kevin Mainord
- New Madrid County: Perry Pikey, Matt Bain, Sharon Medlin
- Oregon: Laird and Genevieve Kelly, David Stubblefield
- Ozark County: Chris Harlin, David Morrison, Maynard Wallace
- Pemiscot County: Wade Mansfield
- Perry County: Sandy Haertling, Mark Renaud, Jason Tilley
- Phelps County: Clark Harrison, Caroleen Ferrell, Bob May
- Reynolds County: Christy Roberts
- Ripley County: Donna Kirby
- Scott County: Dee Cookson, Alan Pendergrass, Roger Record
- Shannon County: Mary Lou Beasley, Jerry and Debbie King, Susie Needels
- Ste. Genevieve County: Kenny Williams
- St. Francois County: Don Reese
- Stoddard County: Brett Dorton, Etheleen Montgomery, Ray Rowland, Russ Oliver
- Texas County: John Casey, Bob and LeAnn Green, Doyle and Treena Heiney
- Washington County: Josh Belfield, Carl and Mary Pankhurst
- Wayne County: Bill Hovis
- Wright County: Charlie Dickinson, Jo Hubener, Jan Kelly, John Kelly, Keith Tate
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
