When Brenda Stacey decided to run for the Div. 4 circuit judge’s seat on the Jefferson County’s 23rd Circuit, that created an open seat in Div. 11, which is run by an associate circuit judge.
Stacey, a Republican, is completing her first four-year term as associate circuit judge, but opted instead to run for the six-year circuit judge spot left open when Democrat Mark Stoll decided against running for another term.
Into the breach have stepped three Republican candidates seeking the chance to replace Stacey – Ed Page, Mary-Courtney Manus and Jennifer L. Breedlove.
Because no Democrat filed for the seat, the winner of the Aug. 7 primary election will be sworn in at the end of the year.
Breedlove did not return a Leader candidate questionnaire.
The Div. 11 seat is the only associate judgeship that is being contested in either election. Running unopposed are Jeffrey Coleman (Div. 10), Antonio (Tony) Manansala (Div. 12), Katherine Hardy Senkel (Div. 13), Tim Miller (Div. 14) and Shannon Renee Doughtery (Div. 15), all running on the Republican ticket.
Associate circuit judges are paid $137,745 per year. To be eligible to run for the office, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, a Missouri voter, a resident of the county he or she serves and licensed to practice law in Missouri.
Stacey and Democrat Jacob (Jake) Costello are running unopposed in their primaries and will square off against each other for the Div. 4 bench in November.
Vic Mellenbrink (Div. 5) and Troy Cardona (Div. 6) are running unopposed as Republicans in both elections.
Circuit court judges are paid a salary of $149,723 and must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. resident for 10 years and a Missouri voter for three years.
PAGE, 53, lives at 8 Seclusion Woods, Festus. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children and one grandchild. He owns the Page Law Firm in Festus. A 1983 graduate of Festus High School, Page graduated with an associate degree from Jefferson College in 1985 and from St. Louis University with a bachelor’s degree (in 1987) and a law degree (in 1990). He is the municipal judge for both Crystal City and Festus, is a provisional municipal court judge for Jefferson County and is a member of the Jefferson Foundation, Our Lady Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and Sigma Chi. He was on the board of the Jefferson County Family YMCA.
Social media: Facebook: edpageforjudge
MANUS, 39, lists her mailing address as 1243 Water Tower Place, Unit 228, in Arnold, but lives in Fenton. She is married. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., a master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a law degree from St. Louis University. She has been on the board of directors of Humanitri since 2016 and was an English literacy tutor for five years. She was an attorney for a regional nonprofit organization that helped clients with mental illness.
What training and experiences have equipped you for this position?
Page: Due to my many years of experience as an attorney and municipal judge, I am fully prepared to competently and fairly hear any case on my first day as an associate circuit judge. Experience matters. There is no “on the job training” for judges.
Manus: My upbringing and legal career have prepared me to be a strong and competent judge. I grew up as the daughter of a pastor who was known as a man of faith and integrity. My father instilled in me a dedication to service, which led me to the legal profession. As an attorney, I have represented thousands of individuals on a broad range of matters in some of the toughest judicial and federal administrative venues in Missouri. These experiences taught me the impact that a judge has on maintaining order and promoting fairness when applying the law.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals if elected.
Page: My municipal courts are open and transparent. I treat each case with respect, dignity and timely resolution. I will bring these ideals, professionalism and experience to the position of associate circuit judge.
Manus: Jefferson County residents deserve dedicated and impartial judges committed to upholding the law and their constitutional rights. I also believe they deserve a hard-working judiciary that can manage large and complex caseloads in light of a growing population. I ask voters to elect me because of my experience, legal skill, proven ability to handle a large caseload and deep commitment to ethically and fervently serving the people of Jefferson County. As judge, I seek to improve judicial efficiency by honoring the scheduled docket, working closely with court staff and conducting my court in a respectful and even-handed manner.