Who is running for Presiding Commissioner in 2026?

Clay County, Missouri

Presiding Commissioner

Missouri › Clay County › Presiding Commissioner

3 candidates are tracked for Presiding Commissioner on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jerry Nolte, Jennifer Justus and Jay Swearingen. Candidate information follows official Clay County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

Nonpartisan under Clay County's home-rule constitution: a candidate topping 50 percent on August 4 wins outright, otherwise the top two advance to November 3. Incumbent Jerry Nolte faces two challengers, per the Kansas City Star.

Jerry Nolte

Nonpartisan · Incumbent

A lifelong Clay County resident first elected to the Missouri House in 2004 and elected presiding commissioner in 2014, per the Kansas City Star. He describes this as his final term.

2026 priorities

Beginning the design of a new county jail, per the Kansas City Star
Supporting law enforcement and improving infrastructure, per the Star
Continuing to lower taxes, including the senior property tax credit, per the Star

Jennifer Justus

Nonpartisan

A realtor and CEO of Dream Properties Real Estate for over 26 years, per the Kansas City Star, which also reports she chairs the Legacy Fund for the City of Smithville and sits on the Beacon Mental Health board.

2026 priorities

Connecting housing and development to workforce growth, per the Kansas City Star
Public safety, per the Star
School enrollment and neighborhood stability, per the Star

Jay Swearingen

Nonpartisan

An Army veteran and managing broker of Dwell Kansas City Real Estate who represented southern Clay County in the Missouri House from 2011 to 2015, per the Kansas City Star.

Verify this race
Candidate roster from official Clay County Supervisor of Elections filings, last verified 2026-08-29. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Missouri election office, or see the full Clay County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.