Getting to know the candidates

Many names will appear on the ballots in both Stone and Taney County in next week's election. Some names may be unfamiliar to our readers, so we wanted to give you the opportunity to meet the candidates.  

STATE AUDITOR

Scott Fitzpatrick (Republican): Scott is the incumbent State Auditor for Missouri, a position he has held since 2024. Fitzpatrick served as State Treasurer from 2019 to 2023 and the State Representative for District 156 from 2014 to 2019. Fitzpatrick is known for promoting fiscal accountability, auditing school districts and COVID-19 Relief Spending and returning unclaimed property to Missourians.

Gerald Wistrand Jr. (Republican): Gerald (Jerry) Wistrand Jr. earned a bachelor's degree in accounting with a minor in computer science from Ball State University and an MBA from DePaul University. His career experience includes auditing company finances and computer systems and teaching computer courses.  He has the best interest of the citizens of Missouri at heart.

Quentin Wilson (Democrat): Wilson has served as the Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, served as the Governor's Cabinet Director, was the Deputy Director of Economic Development and State Commissioner of Higher Education. He also served as an aide to three members of Congress. A husband, father and grandfather, he is also a published author and brings to the table much professional experience.

Gregory Upchurch (Democrat): Upchurch is a small business and venue owner who works hard for his community and wants to work for the State of Missouri. He promises to bring transparency to the office, listen to those who seek information and provide what they desire.

Dustin Coffell (Libertarian): Coffell, who resides in Lake St. Louis has his own particular brand of politics—what he terms rational extremism. A prominent figure in the Libertarian party of Missouri and currently serves as the party's chair, he desires to bring the Libertarian perspective to the statewide Missouri office.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 7

John Casey (Republican): Casey is a conservative, Christian, American. Born and raised in southwest Missouri, he has goals to end foreign aid, eliminate property tax, deport illegals and protect the unborn.

Grayson Hunt (Republican): Hunt is straightforward in his goals to put people over profit. His plans include stabilizing the economy, providing stable and not stressful jobs and promoting a better future for Missouri families.

Eric Burlison (Republican): Congressman Burlison is a sixth-generation Missourian with 20 years of private sector experience as an investment advisor and software consultant. He was elected to represent Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in 2022. He previously represented the 20th Senatorial District, from 2019 to 2023. Before his election to the Missouri Senate, he represented the 133rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. 

Missi Hesketh (Democrat): Hesketh, who resides in Forsyth, is a former mayor and a teacher who wishes to represent Southwest Missouri in Washington, D.C. Her desire is to audit the Pentagon, end billionaire welfare and get big money out of politics. Hesketh promises to be accountable to the voters, not the political party.

Kevin Craig (Libertarian): Known as a Christian Anarchist, Craig proposes that he is the only candidate for the office that is Uncompromisingly Committed to the Ideal of Liberty Under God.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 155

Matthew Overcast (Republican): Overcast is a native of the Ozarks, who has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2024. He has worked to be a strong voice for the families, communities, schools and the small businesses in his district. He has a People-first approach to leadership.

Joshua Berzins (Democrat): Berzins, a resident of Ava, plans to fight for the schools, roads and working families within District 155.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 156

Brian Seitz (Republican): Seitz was elected to his first two-year term as State Representative in 2020. He is well regarded as a conservative Christian leader in the Missouri House, ready to serve his final term. A veteran and a businessman, Seitz works hard to promote tourism, not only in our area but statewide, fights for the rights of the unborn and listens intently to those within his district.

Trent Davis (Libertarian): A lifelong resident of the Ozarks, Davis is seeking his first term in the House. Married, with three daughters, Davis wants to be the voice of the community in Jefferson City. When Missouri speaks, Trent listens.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 138

Tom Franiak (Republican): Franiak is not a career politician. He is a cabinet maker, a business owner, and he promises to not forget who he represents. Franiak commits to listening to those in his district, answering when they call, and fighting for what is important to them.

Burt Whaley (Republican): Elected to the House of Representatives in 2024, Whaley is seeking his second term. A native of Missouri and a lifelong public servant, Whaley has a commitment to protecting unborn life.

TANEY COUNTY (Contested races)

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Brad W. Hughes: Hughes was appointed Prosecuting Attorney in 2023. He served as Chief Assistant to the Prosecuting Attorney from December 2020 until appointed to the office of Prosecuting Attorney. Previously, Hughes served as an Assistant Public Defender for nearly three years.

Tony W. Williams: Williams, a Judge in the 56th Judicial Circuit Court, was elected in November of 2016. Prior to that he served as an Associate Judge for the 38th Judicial Circuit Court from 2001 to 2016.  

Joe Allen: Allen is a Missouri attorney. He has over 20 years of litigation experience in criminal law, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney.

COUNTY AUDITOR

Dawn Bilyeu: Bilyeu is a longtime resident of Forsyth with over 30 years in accounting and administrative experience, including more than a decade in the auditor's office. She has deep roots in the community and much experience in county budgets, accounts payable, inventory management, purchasing and more.                   

Gabe Shipley: Shipley is driven by faith, family and public service. A lifelong resident of Taney County, Shipley is dedicated to honest leadership and accountability. Shipley earned a business degree from Ozarks Tech with fundamentals in accounting and finance.  His background is in mortgage and lending and insurance claims and appraisals.  Both industries taught him how to prepare, present and balance budgets.  Shipley's combined experiences have prepared him to work with multiple parties and ensuring funds are balanced and used responsibly.

STONE COUNTY (Contested races)

PRESIDING COMMISSIONER

Kelly Power: Power is a longtime resident of Stone County. He is a businessman, community leader and has maintained a successful career built on service, accountability and common-sense decision-making. 

Gordon Weathers: Weathers is the current Presiding Commissioner of Stone County, a position he was appointed to in September 2025 by Governor Mike Kehoe to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mark Maples in July of that year. He is a resident of Reeds Spring and has served on the Reeds Spring Board of Education and previously on the Reeds Spring Board of Aldermen.

Doug Minton: Minton is a longtime Stone County resident, pastor, veteran, husband and father of who is running for Presiding Commissioner. He is seeking to bring common-sense leadership, fiscal responsibility and a focus on unity to county government. 

COUNTY CLERK

Denise Dickens: Dickens is seeking reelection for the position of Stone County Clerk, as she desires to continue to serve the needs of the citizens she knows and loves. Well versed in county government, Dickens has served as County Clerk since 2022 and has served in Stone County Government, in some capacity, for more than three decades.

David Cash: Cash, a father and husband, is a veteran, with a long-time career in law enforcement and in community leadership and service.

We encourage our readers to vote in the upcoming election, Tuesday, August 4.