CALIFORNIA, Mo. - Mary Kay Lutz was elected to fill the vacancy as Moniteau County's new prosecuting attorney Tuesday.
According to unofficial results Tuesday, Lutz, a Republican candidate, received 4,570 votes. Even though Lutz did not have an opponent on the ballot, voters cast 819 write-in votes.
The 49-year-old Moniteau County woman has maintained her law practice in the county for 31 years and said she understands what is needed of those who live here. Having witnessed firsthand the change and increase of crimes in the county, she welcomes the opportunity to fill the seat and do her part in "helping restore the safe communities we had in the past," she had previously said.
To Lutz, one of the biggest issues facing the nation is the disrespect and danger to law enforcement personnel as an entity.
"Our law enforcement personnel are out every day in dangerous situations to protect our safety," Lutz said previously. "I want to do my best to make sure that disrespect and danger to our law enforcement will not be tolerated and how the officers, deputies and other law enforcement personnel are treated by a suspect will be given great weight."
Having already filled the seat as prosecuting attorney for Tipton, Lutz said she made sure that if any defendants disrespected law enforcement in any way, she would make sure that was a factor in how she handled the case.
She fills the seat following the recent resignation of Prosecuting Attorney Shayne Healea.
"In the past, I have served as president and vice president of the Moniteau County Republican Club, been involved in the Lion's Club in California, the Kiwanis Club in California, the Chamber of Commerce in both California and Tipton, served on the Chamber of Commerce Board in California and was a board member of the first Moniteau County Senate Bill 40 Board," Lutz has said. These seats have allowed Lutz to see many different sides of the county and has taught her just how to help protect it. Her duties will, of course, be met with some help, she added.
"Sheriff Wheatley, the Sheriff's Department and the Tipton and California police departments are all doing a tremendous job, and it's up to the prosecutor's office to work closely with law enforcement and to prosecute those crimes to the fullest," she said previously.
Lutz said Moniteau County is in need of something she can surely provide.
"Moniteau County needs an experienced prosecuting attorney willing to work for the good of the citizens of this county," she previously said. "I believe that my experience and dedication qualifies me for the job."