Monroe County voters will decide one of three seats on the county board, with incumbent Democrat Mike Kovarik going against Republican challenger Bob Elmore. The polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Bob Elmore

Republican Bob Elmore of Waterloo is running for Monroe County Commissioner. He is opposed by incumbent Democrat Mike Kovarik.

Elmore, 76, is a retired business professional. He held management positions with several companies that had contracts with publishers to supply magazines to retailers. He was also a licensed realtor and was in the home rental business.

“For too many years the politicians have not spent the taxpayers’ money in a wise manner,” Elmore said. “I am for small government and low taxes and want to have a voice in how our taxes are spent.”

Elmore says that since healthcare is one-sixth of our economy, he would like to see a hospital built in Monroe County.

“I would work with the medical community to have private funding to build this hospital,” he said.

Elmore moved to Waterloo from Springfield six years ago.

He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, chairman of Evangelism Committee of the Church Council, former member of Springfield Area Landlord Association, 17th Precinct Committeeman and chairman of the Monroe County Republican Central Committee.

He served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

His family consists of his wife, Shirley (Kueker), six children and 14 grandchildren.

Mike Kovarik

Democrat Mike Kovarik of Columbia is running for Monroe County Commissioner. He is opposed by Republican Bob Elmore.

Kovarik, 54, has been a Monroe County Commissioner since 2008.

He is a graduate of Gibault Catholic High School and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Missouri Rolla. He worked

as a regional sales manager for Engineered Wood Products.

Kovarik is a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Columbia, a past member of the ICS school board, a member of Western Egyptian and a member of the Cancer Survivors Network.

Kovarik said he is qualified for the position because he has served as commissioner for the last six years.

“I want to continue to work for the citizens of Monroe County and promote policies that keep our county a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” he said.

He wants to maintain the county’s trend of paying down inherited county debt and seeks to keep the Monroe County Commissioners office free from party politics.

“We don’t need our county becoming another Springfield or Washington,” he said.

His family consists of his wife, Barb (Stemler) and three children: Katie, Jon and Nick.