Back in February, six of the seven incumbent Cole County officeholders whose terms expire in 2022 filed for re-election; all filed as Republicans.
Tuesday was the filing deadline, and only one of the seven races will be contested.
Those who filed and their office include: Christopher Limbaugh, associate circuit judge, Division 4; Larry Vincent, collector; Steve Korsmeyer, county clerk; Sam Bushman, presiding commissioner; Locke Thompson, prosecuting attorney; and Judy Ridgeway, recorder of deeds.
Current Auditor Kristen Berhorst announced earlier this year she was not running for re-election and has since announced she'll be leaving office to take a position with Helias Catholic High School.
Earlier this month, Mark Ruether, of Jefferson City, filed as a Republican for the auditor's office. He was the lone candidate to file.
This is first time Ruether has run for countywide office. He currently serves as chief deputy to Cole County Treasurer Eric Peters. He has held that position for 5½ years.
The lone contested race is for circuit clerk. Incumbent Dawnel Davidson will face first-time candidate Mark Eichholz. Both are Republicans and the winner in the Aug. 2 primary will face no challenger in the Nov. 8 general election.
The general qualifications for running for county offices, according to state statute, include: be a citizen of the United States; be a registered Missouri voter; not delinquent on paying taxes; not guilty of or pleaded guilty to a felony or misdemeanor crime in Missouri or the U.S.; and have no outstanding campaign disclosure reports due from prior elections.