Incumbent Mike Reuter will face two challengers in his bid to be elected to a fourth four-year term for Jefferson County circuit clerk in the Aug. 4 election. Heather Langhans, a national health practitioner and wellness advocate, and Joe Maddock, founder of a health insurance consulting firm, are facing Reuter for the Republican Party’s nomination.
No Democrats filed for the office, so the winner of the Aug. 4 election will run unopposed in the November general election.
The circuit clerk is paid a salary of $87,000.
Reuter, 59, of Hillsboro has served as circuit clerk for the last 11 years. He has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement and served eight years in the military. He has two sons and three grandchildren. He graduated from Fox High School and earned an associate degree of science from Jefferson College.
Maddock, 36 of Arnold is the founder of Maddock Insurance Group, a health insurance consulting firm. His spouse is Cara, and he has five children. Maddock studied accounting and business administration at Missouri State University in Springfield. He is in his fourth year serving as president of the Jefferson County Republican Club, his third year as treasurer for the Arnold Chamber of Commerce and his third year on the Merit System Commission. He serves on the Arnold Tourism Committee, Arnold Rotary Club and volunteers with local charities.
Langhans, 43, of Dittmer is a natural health practitioner and wellness advocate. She has four children. Langhans graduated from Grandview High School in 2001 and earned an associate degree from Jefferson College. She has volunteered as a youth cheer coach since 2021, and as a youth cheer director since 2025. This year, she began volunteering as a youth assistant softball coach. She has been a member of Jeffco Patriots since 2021 and is an Elks member.
Why should voters elect you, and what are your goals if elected?
Reuter: In the last 11 1/2 years, I have taken the office from one of the most disorganized offices to one of the most respected in the state of Missouri. Through cross-training in departments to continuing education, the Circuit Clerk’s Office is one of the most versatile offices in the state. From customer service to compassion to citizens’ needs, the Circuit Clerk’s Office goes above and beyond to aid citizens in navigating the judiciary. My future goals for the office are to continue the high-quality customer service and expand citizen outreach.
Maddock: A public office requires a leader who is physically in the building every single day. Our courthouse has a fantastic team. They deserve a boss who stands right alongside them, communicates clearly and is always available when they need help. My goal is to rebuild trust by running an office where leadership is fully accountable and highly visible. I will focus on fixing our disjointed computer systems so your private records are safe and accessible. If a problem arises, I will face it directly and take full responsibility instead of avoiding the tough conversations. By choosing to lead by example, I will bring back the active, honest and full-time dedication that our staff and taxpayers deserve.
Langhans: I am someone who brings strong attention to detail, empathetic leadership and a deep commitment to family and community. I take pride in accurate records, organized processes and treating every person with respect. I am self-driven and consistently look for ways to improve the work I do and the support I offer. My goal is to guide and support the existing staff while creating a collaborative environment where we grow together. I believe in listening, learning and finding practical ways we can strengthen our teamwork, streamline our processes and continue serving the public with professionalism and care.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current circuit clerk office?
Reuter: The strength of the Circuit Clerk’s Office is our ability to handle all issues from the smallest to the largest. Further handling these issues in a professional and courteous manner. Our weakness is the lack of personnel; the office is understaffed for its size and the number of cases we handle.
Maddock: The primary strength of the Jefferson County Circuit Clerk’s Office is its dedicated staff. We have a fantastic team of hard-working employees who genuinely care about serving our community and keeping the legal system moving. However, the office faces critical weaknesses due to a lack of visible leadership from the top. Right now, our staff is forced to operate without a present, full-time boss to guide them, communicate goals or offer hands-on support during daily business hours. This lack of everyday accountability hurts employee morale and blocks smooth communication. Additionally, the office relies on disjointed, outdated technology that makes accessing court records much harder than it should be. By solving these leadership gaps and updating our systems, we can finally support our great team and deliver the efficient, trustworthy service our taxpayers deserve.
Langhans: Since I’m not currently in the Circuit Clerk’s Office, I can only speak to strengths and weaknesses based on public information and community interactions. From the outside, the office appears to operate well, which is important. The main limitation I’ve encountered is the lack of access for those wanting to understand internal processes. When I’ve expressed interest in shadowing to learn the workflow and better understand staff needs, I’ve been told this would likely not be allowed. Without that insight, it’s difficult to fully assess operations or identify areas for improvement.
How would you define your role as a circuit clerk?
Reuter: I manage an office of sixty personnel; each staff member is unique in their abilities. As the circuit clerk, you have to be able to know the limits of each staff member and utilize the staff in a very proficient way. My leadership in the office has won the O’Toole Award from the Missouri Supreme Court.
Maddock: I define the role of the circuit clerk as a full-time, hands-on manager who is there to support the team and keep our court system running smoothly. The clerk must be physically present every day to coordinate with staff, set clear goals and make sure everyone has the tools and help they need. The main duty of this office is handling vital legal paperwork. When documents are not filed quickly and accurately, it stalls the entire justice system. My role will be to work side-by-side with our talented team to streamline our daily tasks, eliminate errors and speed up processing times. By providing active oversight and clear communication, I will ensure that every record, ticket and filing is handled safely and efficiently. Ultimately, the circuit clerk is a working manager who is fully accountable to both the staff and the taxpayers.
Langhans: Based on the research I have gathered, these are the responsibilities of the circuit clerk’s position, as I am not currently in the office. The role involves maintaining court records such as case files, dockets and transcripts; issuing and receiving legal documents including summonses, subpoenas and judgments; collecting court fees and fines; assignment of jury duty; and providing assistance to judges, attorneys and the public.
Follow races for local and statewide offices as well as ballot measures.