Reminder for voters in Branson, St. Joseph & St. Louis City

Residents in three of Missouri's house districts have the opportunity to elect a new representative to the General Assembly this Tuesday.

For St. Joseph's District 27, Democrat Pat Conway faces Republican Jason Gregory. Conway is a lifelong resident of St. Joseph and is in his seventh term as county clerk. Gregory, also a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, is currently the Director of Business Development for Health Choices of Northwest Missouri. The vacancy occurred in September when Democrat Ed Wildberger was selected by Governor Jay Nixon to become Buchanan County's Recorder of Deeds.

In District 57, located in the western portion of St. Louis City, voters will choose between Democratic nominee Hope Whitehead and independent candidate Karla May. Whitehead, an attorney who once worked for the city prosecutor's office, edged May out for the Democratic nomination, despite coming under fire for owing delinquent property taxes, which she has since reconciled. Even if May wins, it is likely that she will caucus with the Democrats. This solidly Democratic seat became vacant following Talibdin El-Amin pleading guilty to a felony charge of accepting a bribe worth $2100 from a convenience store owner involved in a dispute with the city of St. Louis.

In District 62, which covers Branson in Taney County as well as much of southern Stone County, Republican Nita Jane Ayers opposes Libertarian Patty Tweedle. Ayers is a real estate agent in the Table Rock Lake area. Tweedle, according to a Missouri Libertarian Party news release, describes herself as a homemaker and former professional who has lived in Branson the past 15 years. The former occupant of the seat, Dennis Wood, resigned when he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Stone County Commission.

Barring any unforeseen calamities in the next week, the only remaining vacancy will be District 56 in Lee's Summit. Republican Brian Yates announced in November that he was forgoing his last year in the House so that he could spend more time with his family.

Polls open Tuesday at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

Campaign Web sites:

• Pat Conway (D-27)
  
• Jason Gregory (R-27)