Expert says April elections reveal frustrations with current political climate
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — A new St. Joseph mayor and three new council members will soon assume their seats following Tuesday's election, and with almost half of the council being voted out, it shines a light not necessarily on the individuals in those seats, but a climate of frustration with sitting incumbents.
According to MoWest Political Science Professor, Marcus Williamson, these results don't necessarily mean that voters didn't like a certain candidate, but instead, it points to a bigger picture situation.
"Blanket statement is dissatisfaction," Williamson said. "People obviously aren't happy with the status quo, even on these nonpartisan races. If there is a general dissatisfaction with national politics, it could have a knock-on effect even with local politics, fairly or unfairly to our local officials. They have to deal with the political climate that the country and the voters are in. And so, when people are in kind of a 'throw the bums out kind of mood', that wave may come through and affect them in ways that they might not have been predicting."
On Tuesday, political newcomer Larry Miller defeated current mayor John Josendale in the race for mayor by 429 votes.
Looking at the precinct data for the mayor's race, Miller won 10 of the 14 precincts. He won six west-St. Joseph precincts, two mid-town precincts, and two south, southeast precincts. Josendale won two north end precincts and two northeast precincts.
Also, three individuals — Gary Wilkinson (former council member), Collin Clibon and Russell Moore (former council member) — defeated three incumbents for council seats.
Wilkinson received the most votes in the race for At-Large seats with 5,278 votes. Clibon had the third most in the At-Large race with 4,024.
Randy Schultz and Marty Novak retained their At-Large seats. Schultz had the second most votes with 4,069 and Novak was fourth with 3,904 votes.
Meanwhile, two sitting council members — Jeff Schomburg rang in 3,682 votes and Kenton Randolph obtained 3,444, with the sixth and seventh most votes, respectively.
In District 4, former council member Russell Moore defeated incumbent Michael Grimm, 969-771.
The mayor's race came down to less than 500 votes, but Williamson said this General Municipal Election might be a preview for what's to come in the August Primary and November Mid-term election.
"It might take us by surprise when it happens, but I think it's fair to say that the political climate right now is volatile," Williamson said.
For April General Municipal Election results, visit www.kq2.com/yourvoiceyourvote.
