In a rematch of the November 2016 general election for the Div. 1 spot on Jefferson County’s Circuit Court, Carl W. (Wes) Yates III, who won that election, again finds himself in a campaign against Joe Rathert.
This time, in the Aug. 7 primary election, Yates and Rathert are competing for the Republican Party’s nomination for the seat. With no Democrat in the race, the winner will serve a six-year term.
However, in 2016, Rathert ran as a Democrat. In making his announcement to switch party labels, Rathert said the Republican Party’s values are a better match for him.
That election determined who would fill a vacancy created when Bob Wilkins was obligated to retire before his 70th birthday.
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.
YATES, 59, lives at 229 N. Lake Drive in Hillsboro. He and his wife, Bridget, have a daughter. In addition to serving as circuit judge, Yates has been an adjunct professor at Webster University since 2006. He was also the county counselor for Jefferson County from 2011-2016, the assistant and associate city counselor in St. Louis from 1996 to 2011 and also has worked in private practice. He also has been an adjunct professor at Park College and Sanford Brown College. He received a bachelor’s degree in aviation science from the University of Central Missouri and a law degree from St. Louis University in 1994. He has taken other classes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
He was the manager and vice president of Yates Broadcasting Co., which ran radio stations in Sedalia, from 1974 to 1986, then was a clerk at the Sedalia Public Library and a substitute teacher for the Sedalia Public School District until he enrolled in law school.
He has been a member of the Missouri Bar Association since 1994, is an Eagle Scout and was a board member for St. Ambrose Catholic School (2006-2008), the Lake Wauwanoka Inc. Board of Directors (2013-2015) and the Sedalia Park Board and Planning and Zoning Commission.
Social media: Website: www.cwyateslaw.com Facebook: Judge Carl W. “Wes” Yates III
RATHERT, 55, lives at 1467 Paradise Valley Drive, High Ridge. He and his wife, Anne, have two daughters. He was the county’s municipal judge from 2011 through May, when he resigned to concentrate on his campaign. He also has been in private practice for 30 years and has served as the county’s truancy court judge since 2015.
He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Louis University in 1985 and a law degree from Capital University in 1988. He is a member of the House Springs Lions Club Arnold Optimists and Knights of Columbus. He has coached youth sports and has been a Sunday School teacher. He was elected to two terms as an alderman in Sunset Hills in the 1990s and served three terms on the county park board.
Social media: Website: www.joerathert.com
What training and experiences have equipped you for this position?
Yates: I have been a practicing attorney since 1994. I served as an associate and assistant city counselor for St. Louis from 1996 until 2011 and was Jefferson County Counselor from 2011 until 2016, when I was elected as judge. I am the only candidate with circuit court experience, handling all types of cases, including felony criminal, complex civil and domestic cases. My 22 years as a government attorney give me the unique qualifications to continue to serve as the circuit judge in Div. 1.
Rathert: As an attorney for 30 years, I have been in the Jefferson County Courthouse just about every day of every week. I have handled difficult criminal cases (murder, armed robbery, involuntary manslaughter), complicated civil cases (amputation, brain injury, medical malpractice) and a variety of family law matters. For 7 1/2 years, I was the county’s municipal judge and handled more than 100,000 files. My job is to make sure that everyone that appears before me is given an opportunity to present their case before a fair, unbiased and knowledgeable judge.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Yates: I am the only candidate with circuit court experience. I have a wide variety of common sense along with legal and professional life experiences that I bring to the bench. I have remained a constant and conservative voice in my government service since 1996.
Rathert: The experience that I have as a judge and attorney in Jefferson County sets me apart. Every set of facts that would appear before me as judge, I have litigated thousands of times before. You shouldn’t pick a doctor who has rarely performed a given procedure, nor should you appear before a judge who likewise does not have the necessary experience. Our jails are overcrowded because of the speed at which cases are resolved. Either resolve the case or set the matter for trial within eight months of filing. This is good for the victim and the defendant.