Clay County, Missouri

Presiding Commissioner

Nolte and Justus are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Clay County election filings.

About this race

August 4 primary result: Jennifer Justus (43.5 percent) and Jerry Nolte (35.6 percent) advanced to the November 3 ballot over Jay Swearingen (20.9 percent), per the official results. Incumbent Jerry Nolte faces two challengers, per the Kansas City Star.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. The sitting officeholder, Jerry Nolte, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Missouri › Clay County › Presiding Commissioner

Jerry Nolte

NonpartisanIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

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

Biography

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. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Jennifer Justus

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

From other published sources

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

Biography

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. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotEastern Commissioner, Seat 2

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Presiding Commissioner in 2026?

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

When is the Presiding Commissioner election in Missouri?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Missouri are on the Missouri election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Clay County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Clay County and state election office filings, last verified October 16, 2026. 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.

The rest of your Clay County ballot

9 tracked races in Clay County, Missouri. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Missouri House District 8 Missouri House District 15 Missouri House District 16 See all 9 Clay County races

Candidate profiles

Jerry Nolte, full profile Jennifer Justus, full profile Official Missouri election office