April 8, 2025 election look ahead for southwest Missouri

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — A number of people in southwest Missouri are already gearing up for the next round of elections.

That round comes in April.

"Since 2015. So I'm in my 10th year," said Lynn Ragsdale, Webb City Mayor.

Lynn Ragsdale has been a member of the city council even longer. He's got another year before he has to decide whether or not to run again.

"The mayor serves four-year terms, the council serves two," said Ragsdale.

But Webb City will see one contested race this spring. On April 8, the Ward Three seat will pit Fred Fierro against Brad Baker.

In fact, that election will host a long list of races throughout southwest Missouri.

"We have a lot of fire districts, road districts, water districts, cities that are going to have things on the ballot. We have schools that are going to have some of the new school board members potentially on the ballot, as well as a lot of the bond issues," said Charlie Davis, Jasper Co. Clerk.

In Neosho, one "at large" city council seat is contested, with Angela Thomas and Jake Evans both filing for the position.

Meanwhile, Carl Junction voters will see contested races at city hall and the school district.

Larry Cowger, Bob Hays and Julie Crow all filed for two open school board seats... while there are five candidates for mayor.

That includes Ladonna Allen, Mike Moss, Rick Flinn, Karma Wright, and Tom Paul.

But the spring election, with the potential for a lot of decision making, often doesn't attract much attention.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis says that's typically a low voter turnout.

"The municipal elections that happen in April are the ones that affect you on a daily basis. You're electing the people that educate your kids, because we're electing school board members. You're picking your city council members, which paved the roads," said Davis.