Branson’s choice April 7: Developer influence vs. independent leadership

Branson's city election is on April 7. Voters have a real decision to make about Branson's future. Or, more accurately, the voters in Ward 3 have a decision to make. The voters in Wards 1 and 2 have no decision to make because their candidates are running unopposed. For what it matters, an Ole Seagull believes the results of the Ward 3 election between incumbent alderman Ralph LeBlanc and challenger Ashley Harkness will determine Branson's future.

The choice is critical but simple. It depends on who you want to control the city government at this critical time. If you are happy with the direction that Mayor Milton, City Administrator Cathy Stepp, and the majority of the current Board of Aldermen are taking Branson, you vote for incumbent Ralph LeBlanc. If you want to go back to the early 2020s, when developers, certain real estate brokers, and an "influential few" controlled Branson, you vote for Ashley Harkness.

"How do you reach that conclusion, Seagull?" It's simple, 'follow the money!'

Reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission show that LeBlanc had received $3,210.48 during the reporting period. Of that amount, LeBlanc himself contributed $2,385.48, or 74% of the total. Harkness's report for the same period indicates she received $8,800. Of that amount, Harkness herself contributed $0.00 or 0% of the total.

"But Seagull, what does the fact of what each contributed to the campaign have to do with anything?" It has to do with expectations! Funds for the campaign came from somewhere. In LeBlanc's case, 74% of them came from himself. The remaining 26% came from various contributors, only one of whom, a $500.00 contribution, was from a real estate broker or developer. In the case of Harkness, none came from herself. All 100% of hers came from other sources, of which 98% came from "developers" or real estate brokers. Regardless of where the contributions came from, an Ole Seagull would remind those contributing to both campaigns to measure their expectations of where someone is and not where they are.

The biggest single donor to LeBlanc's campaign, outside of LeBlanc himself, was $500 from Brad LaCore, “self-employed—real estate," amounting to 15% of the total reported. The biggest "single" donor to the Harkness campaign was $5,000 from Rick Huffman, "HCW Branson Landing Developer," and his wife, Susann Huffman, "wife of HCW developer," accounting for 57% of the total reported. Of the $3,800 remaining, only $200, or 2%, came from sources other than developers or realtors.

A person a lot brighter than an Ole Seagull said, "People get the kind of government they deserve." An Ole Seagull's prayer is that you'll realize your vote, particularly in Ward 3, is critical to the future of Branson, and that you will vote on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, regardless of who you're voting for.