By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor A former top assistant in the Warren County prosecutor’s office prevailed in one of the most closely watched races in Tuesday’s election. Kelly King received more than 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s Republican primary election and will become the next Warren County prosecuting attorney. A total of 3,718 votes, or 61.75 percent, were cast in support of King compared to 2,303 votes, or 38.25 percent, in favor of Jennifer Bartlett, according to unofficial results. King does not have opposition in the November general election and will begin her four-year term in January. King said she is excited to return to the prosecutor’s office where she spent 6 1/2 years as an assistant, a tenure that ended earlier this year. “What I would say to the voters is thank you and to my supporters thank you,” she said. “I did have fun. I met a lot of people and I made some new friends. That was the best part of the campaign.” Tuesday’s race was a battle of two candidates who sought the appointment from the governor when longtime prosecutor Michael Wright was appointed as associate circuit judge in January. Bartlett, who was an assistant prosecutor in Franklin County for the past 12 years, was appointed to fill the vacancy in January. A shake-up ensued in the prosecutor’s office, and personnel changes followed. That included King, who said she was fired on Bartlett’s first day on the job. After her departure, King was hired as an assistant prosecutor in Montgomery County. She also is currently employed as a municipal prosecutor in Wright City and has been the attorney for the Montgomery County Juvenile Office since being appointed in 2010. King said she was focused throughout the campaign to make sure she could reach as many voters as possible. She plans on holding offenders accountable for their crimes, while also respecting the rights of victims. She also said the relationship with local law enforcement agencies needs to be improved. “I spent my campaign focusing on what I could do and what I needed to be doing and not on what my opponent was doing,” she said. “I stayed focused on that. My goal was to meet and talk to as many people as I could.” Wright wins first election as judge In his first election as associate circuit judge, incumbent Michael Wright won by a comfortable margin Tuesday night. Wright garnered 3,780 votes, or 62.21 percent, of the vote total, according to unofficial results. Warrenton attorney Lauren Hopkins finished with 2,296 votes, or 37.79 percent. Both were running on the Republican ticket. Wright, who was appointed to fill the new position in January, will begin a four-year term in January. “It was a good night,” Wright said. “Thanks to all of my supporters, especially those who gave up time in their busy lives to work and help me in this election. We kept it positive, we kept it above board and I think that was important. I look forward to continue to serve our community.” Wright served as prosecuting attorney from 1991-2014 until Gov. Jay Nixon appointed him to fill the newly created associate circuit judge position in January. Hopkins has run her own private practice, Hopkins and Hopkins, for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked two years as an assistant prosecutor in Jackson County.
Kelly KingMike Wright
