Mike Reuter faces a challenge in his bid to be elected to a third four-year term for Jefferson County Circuit Clerk in the Aug. 2 primary election.
Gary W. Davis, a county employee, is facing Reuter for the Republican Party’s nomination. Davis finished third in a five-candidate field for the Republican nomination for the same office in 2018.
No Democrat filed for the office, so the winner of the Aug. 2 election will run unopposed in the November general election.
The Circuit Clerk is paid a salary of $74,001.
REUTER, 55, of Imperial is the incumbent Circuit Clerk. He and his wife, County Council member Renee Reuter, who is running unopposed for the District 112 seat in the Missouri House of Representatives, have two sons and one grandson. He graduated from Jefferson College and earned Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training certification at the Jefferson College Law Enforcement Academy.
Website/social media: Facebook: Mike Reuter for 23rd Judicial Circuit Clerk
DAVIS, 72, of Festus is an inspector for the Jefferson County Public Works Department. He and his wife, Connie, have four children and five grandchildren. He received an associate degree from Jefferson College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Reuter: In addition to serving as Circuit Clerk for eight years. I’ve called Jefferson County home for 55 years, my whole life. I have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience and eight years of Army service. I have decades of supervisory experience, more than 600 hours of clerk training. Positive working relationships with professionals in the courthouse make me the more qualified candidate.
Davis: I have 35 years in business management, supervising up to 250 employees for more than 20 years and managing assets in excess of $100 million per year. I also served on Jefferson College Board of Trustees for 17 years.
What are the circuit clerk’s duties? Why are you qualified to carry them out?
Reuter: The circuit clerk keeps the records of cases heard by the 23rd Judicial Circuit, which includes six circuit and six associate circuit courts. The clerk manages more than 50 deputy clerks assigning tasks to complete required duties. He notifies prospective jurors and publishes official court notices. Finally, the clerk manages costs, fees and funds paid to or held in the courts. Recently, the office has absorbed clerk duties for some municipalities, including De Soto, Hillsboro and Festus. I am the more qualified candidate because I have been doing this job for nearly eight years.
Davis: Child support cases, jury duty selection and traffic tickets. I am qualified because I have 35 years of business management and have supervised 250 people.
What would you do to improve customer service?
Reuter: Customer service is always a top priority. I am available daily to answer questions from the public, attorneys and visitors. During COVID, only a few staff members could work in the building with many working from home, but I came into the office daily so I could handle time-sensitive matters. I worked with judges to implement a system where we would call litigants on cell phones while they waited in their vehicles for hearings so they did not wait in crowded hallways. I intend to continue this focus on customer service.
Davis: Listen to your customers and associates. They are the lifeblood of any business.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Reuter: I leveraged technology for a work-from-home program to improve efficiency and safety. I implemented flexible work schedules to increase retention. I expanded staff training and set clear, uniform expectations celebrated through award programs that resulted in efficiency improvements. I also have worked with elected officials, appointees and volunteers to support efforts to upgrade the current courthouse and raise capital to build a new one. If re-elected, I will continue using technology, creativity, training and positive reinforcement to meet the needs of employees and those we serve.
Davis: I have the business experience and the knowledge to deal with most any contingency or problem. One of my strongest qualities is my people skills.