Incumbent Roger Fischer won the Republican nomination for Callaway County Western District commissioner in a tight race Tuesday.
With no challengers from other parties, he is likely to continue occupying the seat after the Nov. 3 general election.
"It's a very rewarding feeling that our community has allowed me to continue to work in this position," Fischer said. "(It's) an opportunity to press forward on the many projects we've started this first term."
Fischer has served one term as Western District commissioner. He was born in 1959 at the Fulton Memorial Hospital and is a fourth-generation Callaway resident. He married his high school classmate, Janet, more than 30 years ago. The couple has two sons living in Fulton and four grandchildren. Fischer spent 20 years as a mining and mineral consultant and equipment supplier. He owns Spectrum 2000 as well as a rental complex and two storage facilities.
During his campaign, Fischer emphasized his desire to continue working on projects such as the port authority on the Missouri River at Jefferson City and Callaway County's sewer district.
"I'm very thankful to have businesses associates, family and friends that continue to support us and make campaigning possible," Fischer said. "I'll use this next term to further community-wide progress and build a future that includes a strong economic foundation. Most of all, I want Callaway County to be a great place to raise our county's children for many generations to come."
Fischer garnered 1,601 votes, 53.1% of the total, according to unofficial results posted by the Callaway County Clerk's Office. Official results will follow after the vote is certified. His competitor, Will Shackelford, earned 1,415. In total, 3,183 people cast Republican ballots in that race.
"I'm definitely grateful for the outpouring of support of friends, family and community members who worked so hard to encourage and support me in my campaign," Shackelford said Tuesday night. "Though I was hoping for a better outcome, I will continue to pray for the county that we can move forward in a positive direction."
Though they had no primary competition, Republican incumbent Randy Kleindienst (2,293 votes) and Democrat candidate Donnie Horstman (887 votes) will face off for Eastern District commissioner in November. So will Republican Josh Devine (4,917) and Democrat Andy Hirth (1,943 votes), both running for circuit judge for Division 4.
Uncontested county-level races include those for sheriff (Clay Chism), assessor (Jody Paschal), treasurer (Debbie Zerr) and public administrator (Karen Digh Allen).
Fischer and the other candidates will still appear on the November ballot. Though the filing deadline to appear on the ballot is long past, hopeful challengers may file as write-in candidates until two weeks prior to the election date, according to the Callaway County Clerk's office. Those individuals' names will not appear on the ballot, but if a voter writes the candidate's name in, the vote will be counted.