Taney County Federated Republican Women hold forum for Prosecuting Attorney candidates

On July 16, 2026, the Taney County Republican Women held a forum for the upcoming election with Brad Hughes, current attorney, and candidates Tony Williams and Joe Allen. 

Time was given for each candidate to explain who they are and why they are running. 

• 

• 

• 

Brad Hughes: Hughes is a current attorney and has over a decade of legal experience and public service. He worked in the Missouri State Public Defenders Office in Criminal Defense. Hughes was Taney County's Chief Assistant, then he became the Processing Attorney, processing over 13,000 charges and winning over 45 trials at the level of misdemeanor to felony. 

Tony Williams: A retired Taney County Judge, Williams been practicing law since the age of 42. He received a law degree in 1991, was Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for three years, and sat on the 46th Judicial Circuit Court. 

Joe Allen: He has lived in Taney County since he was in the third grade, graduated from Branson High School and the College of the Ozarks. Allen has his own private practice and has been practicing law now for over 20 years. 

A question-and-answer period followed, and the candidates had a limited time to state their positions. 

Q: Can you control how a judge makes a decision?

A: All gave similar answers - build relationships

Q: How do you handle plea bargains?

A: All gave similar answers. Every case is different. When applicable, get the victims involved for their input and to look at the statutes for every case. 

Q: How do you feel state laws affect you as a prosecuting attorney?

A: All gave similar answers. You have to take into account what the laws are and what the evidence is, then base the case on that. You can or cannot always please or divulge details to the public, whether the public feels they need or deserve to know and think that something needs to be prosecuted. 

Q: How do you measure success as a prosecutor?

A: All gave similar answers. Win cases that you are charged by proving the case with all evidence presented. Reduce the crimes and drugs in the community. Make sure that the criminal is treated either by doing the time and when necessary, being treated for mental health or drug problems. 

Q: What are your top three priorities and what specific changes would you implement your first year?

A: All gave similar answers: Community involvement and education, drug cases, sex defense cases, staff involvement, attorney involvement, building relationships with law enforcement, availability of victim advocates. 

If interested, you may join the Taney County Republican Women. You can contact them through Missouri Federation of Republican Women at mofrw.org or on Facebook.