One of the reasons Brian Stumpe decided to run for the new associate circuit division within the Cole County Circuit Court was his experience within the field of law, Stumpe said in a Monday campaign announcement.
Stumpe, who currently is Jefferson City's municipal judge after his election in April 2019, filed to run as a Republican for the associate circuit judge position Feb. 25.
Stumpe held the position of Jefferson City municipal prosecuting attorney from 2011-19. He has been a private practice attorney for several years.
During his tenure as Jefferson City prosecutor, Stumpe said, he handled more than 30,000 cases and developed alternative systems in an effort to rehabilitate offenders. Stumpe also said that in collaboration with Preferred Family Health Care, he helped develop the DWI Portal program, an interactive, web-based counseling program for first time DWI offenders. He believes such programs have a proven record of protecting the public, which "is and will continue to be the most essential responsibility as a public servant," he said in the Monday news release.
Stumpe said the fundamental values of his campaign will be "integrity, fairness, experience, but most of all, adherence to the Constitution."
He also believes his reputation of "being tough but fair as city prosecutor and judge reflect his ability to be impartial and effective as the next Cole County associate circuit judge."
Stumpe will face at least two other candidates who have filed for this office, Todd Smith and Matt Willis, both Republicans.
Other Cole County offices up for election in 2020 include Eastern and Western District commissioners, sheriff, public administrator and treasurer.
There will also be elections for two circuit judge seats.
Filing for countywide offices in 2020 ends March 31. Filing takes place in the Cole County Clerk's Office, located on the second floor of the Courthouse Annex, 311 E. High St. in Jefferson City. The filing of the circuit judge's seats takes place at the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, 600 W. Main St.
The primary election will be Aug. 4, and the general election will be Nov. 3.