Here are the races, issues on April 8 election ballots in Springfield, other area cities
- Voters in Springfield and surrounding areas will decide on various local elections, including mayoral, city council, and school board positions.
- Several contested races, particularly in Springfield and Ozark, highlight the competitive nature of this election cycle.
- Voters will also decide on bond issues for school districts, including Republic and Willard, to fund facility upgrades and expansions.
Correction: School board candidate Sarah Hough has lived in Springfield since 2002. An earlier version of this story included an incorrect date.
In the Tuesday election, Springfield voters will elect a new mayor, fill four seats on the City Council and choose two members of the school board.
Similar elections will take place in area cities. Several communities and districts surrounding Springfield will also pose questions regarding sales taxes and bonds.
In surrounding communities, including Republic and Willard, the fate of school funding issues will also be decided.
Absentee voting started weeks ago. With contested races in Springfield and beyond, here are the candidates and issues appearing on local ballot.
Springfield Mayor
With Mayor Ken McClure reaching his term limit, Springfield voters will elect the city's first brand new mayor in eight years. Additionally, four council seats are also up for election.
Jeff Schrag: Best known for founding Mother's Brewing Company, Schrag is a serial entrepreneur. He also has experience in public service roles, including on the Missouri State University Board of Governors, though none in elected office. He previously told the News-Leader his wide range of experiences has helped him develop adaptability and a wider view of local issues and solutions.
Mary Collette: Having served for eight years on council in the early 2000s, the Commercial Street advocate is running for mayor. She currently serves as president of the Commercial Club and owns Historic Firehouse No. 2. She told the News-Leader earlier that her campaign is focused on bringing more citizens into the city's processes as collaborators and engage locals in their local government.
Springfield City Council General Seat A
Eric Pauly: The former president of the Phelps Grove Neighborhood Association hopes to utilize his experience on various city bodies and boots-on-the-ground understanding of neighborhoods to help lead the city toward growth. Pauly, who's been an active member of the city's Planning & Zoning Commission for nearly three years, told the News-Leader previously he is focused on addressing housing issues and working more closely with neighboring southwest Missouri cities to elevate the region.
Heather Hardinger, incumbent: Hardinger has held the General A seat since 2021. She works as the director of consumer experience at CoxHealth, where she was hired as chief diversity officer in 2021. Hardinger chairs council's Community Involvement Committee, which has most recently taken up discussion of the city's housing priority and exploring options for a rental inspection program in the future. She also serves on the Restore SGF Board of Directors. Besides housing, her top priorities include public safety and "smart, sustainable development that respects neighborhood needs," according to her campaign website.
Springfield City Council Zone 4
Bruce Adib-Yazdi: With more than 20 years of architectural practice in Springfield and across the country, Adib-Yazdi is the vice president of development at the Vecino Group. He is also the president of the Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association. In 2023, he ran in a tight race against current Councilman Derek Lee for the General D council seat. He previously told the News-Leader he would focus on further implementing the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan by championing neighborhoods developing their own long-range plans, further developing urban corridors and expanding the mindset of the city to include more interconnectivity and neighborhood-driven services across Springfield.
Matthew Simpson, incumbent: Appointed to council in 2018 and elected in 2019 and again in 2021, Simpson is running for re-election for the seat that covers the southeast quadrant of the city. He works as the chief research and planning officer at Ozarks Technical Community College. Simpson has served in various public service roles including with the Springfield-Greene County Library board and Downtown Springfield Association. Serving as mayor pro tem, Simpson chairs the Finance and Administration Committee and was a council liaison for the advisory body for the 3/4-cent sales tax. He told the News-Leader his long-time commitment to support public safety is central to his reelection campaign.
Springfield City Council General Seat B
Craig Hosmer: Hosmer is the most veteran councilman and is running for re-election unopposed. The local attorney was first elected in 2013 and served as representative in the Missouri House from 1990 to 2002. He currently serves on the Community Involvement and Plans and Policies committees. During his time on council, Hosmer has emphasized support for public safety and voted against several developments citing neighborhood concerns. More recently, Hosmer co-sponsored a bill proposing to give police authority to tow vehicles with inadequate or expired registration.
Springfield City Council Zone 1
Monica Horton: Initially appointed to council in 2022, Horton is also seeking re-election unopposed. She is the founder and CEO of Lenica Consulting Group, company specializing in strategic planning, research and engagement, and is an adjunct faculty member at Drury University. Horton chairs the Public Involvement Committee and also serves on the Finance and Administration Committee. She has advocated for more focus on housing solutions and was the one to pitch a "demolition by neglect" ordinance in part as effort to protect historic buildings in the city.
City of Willard
Mayor Troy Smith is running for re-election unopposed. Smith has served less than a year in the position as he was elected, after a tie, to complete the term left by former mayor Sam Snider's resignation.
No one will officially appear on the ballot for the Ward 3 Alderman seat, with the election likely decided by write-ins, a common occurrence prior to the shake-up at Willard City Hall in recent years. Incumbents for Ward 1 and Ward 2 Alderman seats Jeremy Hill and David Keene are running unopposed for their respective seats.
The city will also seek voter approval for a 1/2-cent sales tax for public safety purposes.
City of Fair Grove
Ward II Alderman — Current Alderman Dennis Roe is not seeking re-election.
- Jeffrey Danderson: Long-time alderman is running for election again after losing to a write-in candidate last year. Danderson, a Fair Grove native, has served more than 20 years on the board on and off throughout the years.
- Franklin Hodges: Operator of the Hillbilly Speedway, Hodges is running to serve on the board for the first time. He noted he wants to bring common sense back to the leadership of the city and emphasized the need to represent all the people of the town.
Ward III Alderman
- Timothy Cooke: President of the recently created Police Citizen Advisory Committee, Cooke is challenging a long-time incumbent for the alderman seat. The committee has hosted several community events and fundraisers.
- Richard Icenhower, incumbent: Icenhower is running for re-election as a long-time leader on the board. He also serves on the Public Water Supply District board.
Ben McMains is running unopposed for the Ward I Alderman seat as Alderman Sherry Veach is not seeking re-election. McMains was at the center of conflict with the board after his decommissioning in January 2024, which resulted in him being fired as the Fair Grove School District's school resource officer. The situation resulted in the community rallying in his support and some changes to the board makeup. He ran for the Greene County Sheriff's Office but lost against long-time incumbent Sheriff Jim Arnott.
The city is also asking voters to consider the issuance of $1 million in general obligation bonds to acquire rights of way and construct, reconstruct, extend and improve Fair Grove's sewer system, including stormwater and sanitary sewerage.
The Fair Grove Fire Protection District is also asking for approval to authorize the levying of an additional 20 cents on $100 assessed to provide funds for full-time firefighters, infrastructure improvements and equipment purchases.
City of Republic
Ward II Council Member
- Darran Campbell, incumbent: Former volunteer firefighter Campbell is running for re-election. He has lived in Republic for more than 25 years and previously served on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Campbell owns and runs BWI Sanitation.
- John R. Smith: Information about this candidate was not readily available.
Ward III Council Member
- Brian Fields, incumbent: A long-time Republic resident, Fields is running for re-election. He has opened two businesses in recent years — Sub 24, a mobile coffee trailer, and STAT Truck & Trailer Repair in Billings. He also has had a long military career.
- Justin Snider: Snider previously ran unsuccessfully for the Ward III seat last year. He works as a software engineer at Jack Henry & Associates and is an air force veteran.
Ward I Council Member Justin Shaw is running for re-election unopposed.
Christian County
The Christian County Ambulance District, which covers all but the western portion of Christian County, is posing a question to voters regarding its funding structure. The question asks voters to decide whether the property tax levy should be gradually reduced and instead a 1/2-cent sales tax put in place to fund the district.
"Shall the Christian County Ambulance District annually reduce the total property tax levy on properties within the District by imposing a sales tax of one-half of one percent for the purpose of providing revenues for the operation of the Christian County Ambulance District, with such property tax reduction to be determined annually in an amount equal to fifty percent of the previous year's revenue collected from the sales tax?"
City of Ozark
Mayor
- Donald Currence, incumbent: The 32-year Ozark resident is running for re-election for a second term. He is the administrative pastor at First Baptist Church in Ozark and serves as the volunteer Ozark Police Department Chaplain. In his re-election campaign, he highlights strong conservative Christian values, fiscal responsibility, and building strong community partnership relationships.
- David Snider: A retired Springfield Police officer and army veteran, Snider is a strong advocate for public safety in his election campaign. He has served as Ward 1 Alderman for several years and previously ran for mayor. According to his campaign website, he sees strengthening infrastructure and encouragement of economic development vital for the growth of the community.
- Eddie Campbell: Also a long-time Ozark Alderman and previous mayor candidate, Campbell is running for the mayoral seat. He was first elected as Ward 3 Alderman in 2010. Now retired, Campbell used to work in commercial construction. Describing himself as a “faith-family-flag conservative,” Campbell emphasizes bringing a principled approach to leadership and avoiding additional taxes to the community.
Ward I Alderman
- Chris Aiken, incumbent: Perhaps the newest to Ozark but still a native to southwest Missouri, incumbent Aiken is running for election after being appointed to the seat in July. He serves as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Christian County, dedicated to seeking justice and restitution for victims of property-related crimes.
- Gerald Boone Averill: Averill is challenging Aiken for the Ward 1 seat. He describes himself as a believer in Jesus Christ and a conservative. Averill has noted his top priority will be to be a good steward of tax dollars.
Ward III Alderman
- Jim Metcalf, incumbent: Appointed by Currence, the incumbent is running for election. Metcalf has lived in Ozark for more than 25 years and spent more than 20 years working in the security industry. Highlighting his faith, Metcalf believes government exists to serve people, not burden them, and promotes personal responsibility and encourage free enterprise.
- Susie Ballard: Ballard works as a banking service manager at Southern Bank, according to her LinkedIn profile. She serves on the Christian County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board and just completed her term on the Ozark Fire Protection District Board last year.
Ward II Alderman Jean Ann Hutchinson is running for re-election unopposed.
Ozark Fire Protection District is asking voters whether it should issue $10.5 million in general obligation bonds to improve emergency services and meet current safety standards by constructing, renovating, improving, equipping and furnishing fire stations, a training center, and related facilities. The bond money could also be used to acquire, replace or repair vehicles, emergency medical and rescue equipment, fire protection and firefighting gear, apparatus and auxiliary equipment.
Springfield school board
One incumbent and three first-time candidates are vying for two open seats. Steve Makoski, who was elected in 2022, is not running for a second term.
Kelly Byrne: The sole incumbent on the ballot, Byrne was first elected in 2022. He grew up in Springfield, graduated from Kickapoo High School and is the managing partner of Say You Can, LLC. He has one child in SPS.
He is endorsed by the Springfield National Education Association, the local Missouri State Teachers Association, Teamsters Local No. 245, Greene County Republican Central Committee and the Back on Track PAC, among others.
Sarah Hough: The senior manager for community and outfitter engagement at Bass Pro Shops, is a community volunteer who has served on the board for Care to Learn. A Springfield resident since 2002, she has two children in SPS.
She is endorsed by the Springfield National Education Association, the local Missouri State Teachers Association, Teamsters Local No. 245, and the United Springfield PAC, among others.
David Myers: An aircraft paint technician and staff sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard, Myers attended SPS schools but graduated from Reeds Spring High School. He has been active in local political circles and has one child in SPS.
He is endorsed by the Greene County Republican Central Committee and the Back on Track PAC, among others.
Gail Smart: A trained attorney and community volunteer, she has lived in Springfield for more than 30 years. She serves on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks board and was co-director of Well of Life food pantry. Her two sons are SPS graduates.
She is endorsed by the local Missouri State Teachers Association, Teamsters Local No. 245, and the United Springfield PAC, among others.
Nixa school board
There is one incumbent among the four candidates vying for two open seats.
Bridget Bidinger: First elected in 2022, she is the sole incumbent in the race. She has a background in retail buying, business analysis and strategic planning. One child has graduated from the district and the other is still enrolled.
Ashtyn Fischer: An executive assistant at Walden University, she has lived in Nixa for 14 years and has two children in the district. An active parent and volunteer, Fischer has worked as a substitute in the district.
Jonathan Lindsay: An accountant, Lindsay has two children in the district. He has lived in Nixa since 2015 and previously served on the Nixa Education Foundation. He is involved in youth and men's ministry.
Tim McKnight: A real estate agent with Keller Williams, he was previously manager at the Fieldhouse Sports Center and a steel construction business. He has lived in Nixa for at least 12 years and his wife worked for the district for 25 years. They have two children.
Ozark school board
There is one incumbent among the three candidates vying for two open seats. A fourth potential candidate, Matthew Growcock, was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Guy Callaway.
Sarah Adams Orr: First elected in 2012, she is the sole incumbent on the ballot. She is president and funeral director at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark and Nixa. An Ozark graduate, she has two children.
Rae-Ann Wade: She spent eight years as a junior high and high school math teacher and three as a principal. She has six children in the district, three of whom have graduated. She is an active PTA member.
Wade Wheeler: A dentist who has been practicing in Springfield since 1998, he is now owner and operator of the Dental ER. He moved to Ozark in 2019. Two children graduated from the district and the third is still enrolled.
Willard school board
There is one incumbent among the three candidates vying for two open seats:
David Menditto: First elected in 2022, Menditto is the only incumbent in the race. He is the owner of Springfield Mow LLC.
John Hartley: A retired public and private school teacher and coach, Hartley spent 22 years in the Willard district. The owner of 417 Youth Sports and the Heart of America Tournaments, he previously served on the Willard school board from 2011-2015.
Amanda Kastler: An accountant, CPA and partner at Elliot, Robinson and Company, Kastler has lived in Willard since 2014. She has two children in the district. She is a member of the Willard school facilities committee.
Republic bond issue
The Republic school district asked voters for a $22 million bond "no tax increase" bond issue, meaning it will extend the debt of the district but not alter tax levy rates if approved.
The largest project is a multi-use indoor facility on the Republic High School campus, which will add 57,000 feet of classroom space and a 65,000-square-foot turf field.
Other projects included in the bond request include:
- Upgrading part of Republic Middle School and adding air conditioning in the auxiliary gym;
- Adding air conditioning in the Price Elementary gym;
- Improving window safety by adding security film to all exterior doors in each building and to school entrance vestibules;
- Replacing older HVAC replacements units in various buildings.
The ballot language: Shall the District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $22M, resulting in no estimated increase to the District's debt service property tax levy, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, repairing, renovating, furnishing, and equipping new and existing facilities and sites, including safety and security improvements; constructing an expansion at Republic High School to include an indoor activities facility; renovating and remodeling portions of Republic Middle School; and HVAC improvements at the Price Elementary gymnasium and the Republic Middle School auxiliary gymnasium?
Willard bond issue, levy transfer
The Willard school district asked voters for a $30 million "no tax increase" bond issue, meaning it will extend the debt of the district but not alter tax levy rates if approved.
The projects on the bond list involve safety upgrades, renovations and maintenance work, and an improved space for student activities and athletics.
The second request is a tax levy transfer, which is more complicated.
The current district's total tax levy — $4.12 per $100 of assessed valuation — is split with $2.85 for operating expenses and almost $1.27 to pay down debt.
The district is asking for permission to transfer 22 cents of the levy from debt-service to operating, which will not change the total tax levy.
If the transfer is approved, it will free up $1.24 million a year to cover operating costs, the bulk of which is devoted to employee salaries and benefits.
As if a two-question ballot wasn't complicated enough, the threshold of support needed to pass each of the funding requests is different. The district needs 57% support to pass the bond issue but just a simple majority, anything over 50%, to pass the levy transfer.
The ballot language for both requests:
Question 1: Shall the Willard R-II School District issue its general obligation bonds in the amount of $30,000,000, estimated to result in no increase to the District’s debt service property tax levy, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, repairing, renovating, furnishing and equipping new and existing school sites and facilities, including North Elementary, South Elementary, Orchard Hills Elementary, East Elementary, Intermediate School - North, Middle School and High School; safety and security upgrades, including the construction of a multi-purpose safe room addition at East Elementary and secure entrances at the High School and Orchard Hills Elementary; improvements to activities and athletic facilities, including the installation of synthetic fields; and improvements to District parking lots and circulation to enhance safety and traffic flow? If this question is approved, the District’s debt service property tax levy is estimated to remain unchanged at $1.2698 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property.
Question 2: Shall the Board of Education of Willard R-II School District be authorized to increase the operating tax levy ceiling to $3.0786 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property according to the 2025 assessment for general operating expenses of the District to support, attract and retain quality staff and contribute to District maintenance? If this question is approved, the operating tax levy of the District is estimated to increase by $0.22 per $100 of assessed valuation of real and personal property, and the District expects to make a corresponding reduction to its debt service tax levy in the same amount as a result there is estimated that there will be no increase to the overall tax levy of the District.
(This story has been updated to meet our standards).