The election for Cole County presiding commissioner may be next year, but one person has already announced his intention to run.
Sam Bushman, owner of Samuel's Tuxedo and Gifts, said he's been encouraged for many years to run for mayor or House of Representatives, but now seemed like a good time to get into the political field.
"Marc (Ellinger) has said for a number of months he wouldn't run for a third term, so people talked to me about running," said Bushman, who will run as a Republican. "I'm a firm believer if something is meant to be then it is. I thought this could work."
Bushman believes that while these are "interesting times" the county is in good shape.
"I'm glad we passed the tax for the ambulance service and the jail, but we'll see no new tax increases for the foreseeable future," he said. "We will have to be creative and use money wisely. I do that every day in my business."
Bushman said the county has made his business successful and if he wins this could be a way to give back to the county.