Former State Representative Vicky Hartzler has officially filed to run against Ike Skelton next year, and may have a primary challenger soon. Multiple sources report that State Senator Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) has recruited the services of Jeff Roe to challenge Hartzler for the right to take on Skelton.
As noted by Jason Rosenbaum, Stouffer's chief of staff, Aaron Baker, has also been online promoting Stouffer's prospective candidacy and criticizing Skelton (sometimes during official work hours) .
Hartlzer recently published a book, Running God's Way, marketed as a "one-stop, easy to use resource unveils the proven campaign techniques revealed in God's Word and outlines the winning strategies needed to succeed on Election Day." Based on Roe's record of lowest-common-denominator tactics, we probably shouldn't expect Roe to commit to running what you might call a Christ-centered campaign.
Assuming that Hartzler and Stouffer remain committed to a "race" against Skelton, it could be one of the more viscous campaigns Fourth District voters have seen in a while. A primary battle could also have repercussions in the State Senate, where Stouffer serves with Hartzler's campaign treasurer, Sen. Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City).
State Rep. Tom Self (R-Cole Camp) is also reported to be mulling a bid.
