John T. Parker beat out fellow Republican Richard “Stumpy” Durham in the Aug. 4 primary election for Jefferson County Council District 1.
No Democrats filed for the seat, so Parker will run unopposed in the November election.
According to complete, but unofficial results reported by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, Parker won the race with 1,994 votes (52.93 percent of the total vote) to Durham’s 1,773 votes (47.07 percent).
Parker, 65, of High Ridge is a special-education teacher for the Special School District of St. Louis County, assigned to Rockwood South Middle School in Fenton.
He said he was “flabbergasted” to learn he is the winner of the Republican primary race for Council District 1.
“Thank you to every person who volunteered, knocked on doors, made phone calls, placed signs, contributed to our campaign, prayed for us, and most importantly, voted,” Parker said. “I am deeply honored by the trust you’ve placed in me.”
The District 1 council district covers a northwest portion of Jefferson County, including Fenton, Murphy, High Ridge and Eureka.
Council members serve four-year terms and receive an annual stipend of approximately $13,929. A council member serves as the representative for residents for one of seven districts in the county. The council serves as the legislative body for the county government, meeting twice monthly to introduce, read, debate and vote on bills and resolutions.
Parker congratulated Durham on a hard-fought campaign, also saying he would be willing to work with Durham in the future to improve District 1.
“Running for public office takes courage, commitment and a genuine desire to serve,” Parker said. “I thank him for putting himself forward and for caring about Jefferson County. Tonight, there are no winners and losers – there is one Jefferson County.”
The current District 1 councilman, Brian Haskins, announced earlier this year that he would not run for the seat again. He served two terms as District 1 representative and was first elected in 2018.