With wins in the Aug. 4 primary election, Democrat David Frank will face Republican Tim Whitney in the Nov. 3 general election.
According to official results reported by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, Frank won the Democratic race with 6,902 votes, or 50.48 percent of the total vote, to Anthony Dwayne Ruble’s 6,770 votes, or 49.52 percent of the vote.
Whitney won the Republican race with 16,907 votes, or 65.71 percent of the total vote, to John Stockton’s 8,823 votes, or 34.29 percent of the vote.
Whitney, 44, of Festus is the undersheriff and chief financial officer of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in the Sheriff’s Office since 2002. He said winning the Republican primary was exciting, not just for himself but for the people who helped organize his campaign and supported him.
Whitney said Stockton called him after all precincts reported to concede the race.
“I have nothing but respect for John,” Whitney said. “Anybody who puts their name on a ballot and campaigns, puts themselves out there – it’s a really hard thing to do. I thought John did a great job. I wish him nothing but the best for the future.”
Stockton congratulated Whitney on the victory.
“Thank you to my family, volunteers, supporters and everyone who voted for me,” he said. “I am proud of the positive, grassroots campaign we ran and grateful for every conversation, every door knocked and every person who believed in our vision.”
Frank, 59, of De Soto is an enterprise transformation and mergers and acquisitions integration executive. He said he was proud of his campaign so far and also humbled by how many people voted for him as county executive.
“I want to thank everyone for supporting me, and I’m looking forward to receiving additional support from those who may not have voted in this primary or who were possibly on the fence, because I have a lot to offer,” Frank said. “I think that the thing that resonates most and what I keep hearing most about (from county residents) is transparency in government. Also, it seems like, at least from what I hear, everybody seems to think that the government is reactionary, and there isn’t any forethought or self-planning that goes into any of the decisions that are made.”
According to the clerk’s office’s election returns, Frank polled best at Clyde Hamrick Elementary School in Imperial, receiving 79 votes (63.71 percent) to Ruble’s 45 votes (36.29 percent).
Ruble polled best at the De Soto Elks Lodge, receiving 190 votes (66.67 percent) to Frank’s 95 votes (33.33 percent).
Whitney polled best at Hillsboro City Hall, receiving 171 votes (73.08 percent) to Stockton’s 63 votes (26.92 percent).
Stockton polled best at Faith Baptist Church in Festus, receiving 282 votes (55.19 percent) to Whitney’s 229 votes (44.81 percent).
While campaigning in the primary, Whitney said he heard a consistent message from county residents.
“What people really want is an efficient government,” he said. “When you talk to them, they want to know that their taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely.
“We’re going to celebrate tonight and then look forward to the work ahead. I recognize that there’s still some work to get done.”
Frank said he’ll be working to increase campaign efforts countywide come November.
“I don’t have the same financial backing as Tim Whitney does; I don’t have the history and practice and politicking that he has, but I need to get myself out there,” Frank said. “I’ll start shaking hands and sharing my messages. Hopefully people like what they hear.”
The county executive, which serves a four-year term and is paid an annual salary of about $124,971, is the chief executive officer of the county government, in charge of appointing county residents to various boards and commissions, such as the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Port Authority, with the approval of the County Council; executing and enforcing the county’s charter and Missouri law; voting to break a tie vote among the County Council; and submitting an annual, balanced budget for the County Council’s review and approval.
Efforts to reach Ruble for this story were unsuccessful.
Current County Executive Dennis Gannon announced in late 2024 that he was not seeking reelection. His final day in office will be Dec. 31. Gannon was first elected to office in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.