Jefferson City voters face elections in three wards Tuesday

Jefferson City voters will see races in three wards Tuesday.

Incumbents in the 2nd and 4th wards both face challenges to their seats on the Jefferson City Council, while the 3rd Ward will choose between two challengers to fill an outgoing councilman's seat.

In the 2nd Ward, incumbent Shawn Schulte faces Blake Markus; in the 3rd Ward, Len Stella is running against Ken Hussey; and in the 4th Ward, incumbent Bill Luebbert is facing Carlos Graham for the second time.

The 1st Ward seat, currently held by Bob Weber, was awarded to James Branch in the primary earlier this month because he won more than 50 percent of the vote.

Fifth Ward Councilman Ralph Bray is running unopposed and is happy to be able to continue representing the city's 5th Ward.

"It certainly has been a very rewarding two years," Bray said.

Bray said he has never regretted running for council and all it takes to make a difference in the city is for someone to take an interest in it.

Judge Cotton Walker also is running unopposed and said that confirms the confidence of the community in the job he has done. Walker pointed to the "first-in-the-nation DWI Portal Program" used by the municipal court and the work done to offer alternatives to jail time for offenders.

"Due to my direct efforts, City Hall has added important security measures including a metal detector being used for municipal court," Walker said. "I look forward to continuing my service to Jefferson City."

City Prosecutor Brian Stumpe also faces no opposition on Tuesday's ballot. Stumpe said he's very happy to continue his service as city prosecutor, and he's looking forward to serving another two years.