Renee Reuter has won the Republican primary for the Jefferson County Division 12 associate circuit judge seat, beating Colby Smith-Hynes.
Because no Democrats filed for the seat, Reuter is virtually assured of election in the Nov. 3 general election.
According to complete, but unofficial results, Reuter won the race with 13,929 votes (55.38 percent) to Smith-Hynes’ 11,221 votes.
Reuter, 57, of Imperial, has been the state representative for District 112 of the Missouri House since 2023.
“I am just humbled and so excited about this new chapter of my life,” she said. “I'm so blessed to have the trust of the people of Jefferson County.”
Associate circuit judges serve four-year terms and are paid approximately $167,833 a year.
Republican Antonio “Tony” Manansala currently presides over Division 12 but is running for the Division 15 seat.
Reuter said she will be learning about being a judge over the next four months.
“I've already spoken with several of the judges tonight, and they told me to come on into their offices and watch them work and soak it all in,” she said. “And of course, we have judge training in January… and I'm feeling really great about being able to pick up anything that they want to throw at me in January.”
Reuter thanked her opponent Smith-Hynes for running a great campaign as well as her team who helped her campaign.