On Saturday, June 9th, we had the opportunity to speak with Democratic Party candidates and office holders at the Missouri Democratic Convention. Cass County Associate Commissioner (and former state representative) Luke Scavuzzo took some time to speak with us at the convention.

Over the years as we’ve been in Jefferson City to cover the General Assembly we became acquainted with Luke Scavuzzo, one of the smart, thoughtful public servants in Jefferson City who, at the time, represented the 124th Legislative District for the people of Cass County. Luke Scavuzzo lost his seat in the General Assembly in the 2010 “teabagger wave” general election. He now serves as a Cass County Associate Commissioner.

To sum up the political scene in Cass County since 2010:

A long time presiding commissioner (a Democrat) was defeated in the 2010 election by a perennial republican candidate, who subsequently was ousted from office for not being qualified to file for office. The office remained vacant for over a year as the case worked its way through the state court system.

Vicky Hartzler, a former state representative from Cass County was elected to Congress in the 2010 “teabagger wave” general election, benefiting substantially from her base in Cass County.

Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley (D) announced she was running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District, challenging Vicky Hartzler.

Herschel Walker, the republican presiding commissioner who was ousted from office filed to run as a Libertarian in the 4th Congressional District.

A republican associate commissioner resigned from office. Governor Jay Nixon (D) appointed former representative Luke Scavuzzo (D) to fill the position.  

In May Governor Jay Nixon appointed Pleasant Hill Mayor Terry Wison (D) to fill the position of Cass County Presiding Commissioner.

Think about that for a minute. The “teabagger wave” election of 2010 created a giant mess in Cass County and now public service minded Democrats have started in to the process of making local government function again.

Do you suppose that example of competence over ideology, set by individuals like Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Hensley (D), will have an impact on the voters of Cass County?

And to think, Vicky Hartzler (r) only got 50.4% of the vote district wide in 2010, when Boone County and Columbia weren’t in the district. Her teabagger base is much smaller now. And there are probably a few more voters in Cass County who are tired of teabagger ideology and crave thoughtful and practical governance from their elected officials.

Previously:

Finally, resolution in Cass County (May 3, 2012)

Gov. Jay Nixon (D) appoints Luke Scavuzzo (D) to the Cass County Commission (January 11, 2012)

“…Respondent is ousted from the office of Presiding Commissioner, Cass County, Missouri.” (February 18, 2011)