By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMeTimesEditor
Back before a hometown crowd after his work in the Missouri State Senate, State Senator Rob Mayer officially declared his plans to leave the world of legislative politics in Missouri’s capitol to seek a seat on the judicial bench in the Bootheel.
On Monday, Mayer kicked-off his campaign for the 35th Circuit Judge, serving Stoddard and Dunklin counties. He officially announced his candidacy back in February at the Stoddard County Republican Lincoln Day banquet.
Mayer, a Republican, has served 12 years in the legislative branch of state government, in the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate; Mayer was “term-limited” by the state’s constitution, and unable to seek another legislative term in Jefferson City. During his last two years in the state Senate, Mayer served as the Senate President Pro Tem, one of the most powerful leadership positions in state government.
The 35th Circuit has been served by Judge Stephen Sharp of Kennett for a number of years. Sharp announced last year his plans to retire and not seek another term on the bench.
“It’s always nice to see friends,” Mayer said to a room full of supporters at the luncheon at the Hickory Log in Dexter. Many in the room have been loyal Mayer supporters since his first campaign for the state House of Representatives in 2000. “It’s good to be back home. You all have been gracious and supportive for my 12 years in the legislature; you have been so good and gone the extra mile.”
Mayer spoke about the many races on this November’s General Election ballot, with everything from U.S. President, to Missouri’s statewide officials and U.S. Senator to be decided by voters.
“I believe this circuit judge race is very important,” he commented. “You all know that a judge plays a very important part in our democratic system of government. A circuit judge will rule on cases dealing with family law, criminal cases, and various other civic cases that will involve a wide range of legal issues.”
Missouri’s circuit courts are courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction. The state is organized into 45 judicial circuits. Circuit judges are elected by popular vote for six-year terms.
“Most Americans want a judge who is respectful, who is fair and impartial, who has the highest degree of honestly. And that’s the type of judge I’ll strive to be,” Mayer told the crowd.
His wife, Nancy, introduced Mayer to the hometown crowd.
Mayer is a Dexter native, and graduated in 1975 from Dexter High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He was first elected in 2000 to the House of Representatives and in 2004 was elected to the State Senate. He and his wife Nancy have three sons, Justin, Dustin and Daniel.
Mayer has no opponent on the GOP ballot in the August primary election. He will face Democrat Stephen Mitchell of Dexter, who currently serves as Associate Judge in Stoddard County.
Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor,contributed to this report.
Photo Above: Rob Mayer, candidate for the Circuit Judge in the 35th judicial circuit that includes Stoddard and Dunklin counties, speaks to supporters at a campaign kick-off luncheon on Monday. (ShowMe Times Photo by Andrew Cato)
