Candidates Stump at Twin Bridges Fire Department

A campaign event on July 18 at Twin Bridges Volunteer Fire Department attracted many of the candidates running for office in Douglas County. Incumbent Sheriff Chris Degase addressed his constituents and asked for their votes. Several candidates for the Douglas County Commission were on hand. Jason Story, Brad Loveless, and Johnny Burkdoll each had an opportunity to address their potential constituents in short speeches. 

Only one candidate for the 33rd Missouri Senate district, Karla Eslinger, was present to give a short speech. 

Candidate for District 155 in the Missouri House of Representatives, Travis Smith, was also present. His opponent in the Republican primary, Joe Combs, was not at the event. Smith covered the main points of his platform in an interview with Howell County News. 

Smith, like Eslinger before him, is very concerned about the lack of reliable internet connections in the district. He believes rural access to high-speed internet could be a crucial boost to the economy. Smith went on to say he is a big proponent of the rights afforded in the First and Second Amendments. 

“I don’t apologize for my faith,” he said, citing his endorsement from Missouri Right to Life. 

Smith said he truly believes in servitude, and that is why he is running for office. 

“I’m not afraid of failure,” he said, citing President Trump’s infamous multiple bankruptcies, “...but how many successes did he have?”

Smith and Combs will face off in the primary election on August 4. The winner will face the Democratic candidate, Mike Lind, in the general election in November.