Editing Benton County, Missouri (section)

==Politics==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2014}}

===Local===
The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] controls politics at the local level in Benton County. Republicans hold every elected position in the county.

{{Missouri county elected officials
| name              =Benton County, Missouri
| assessor          =Jim Hansen
| assessorparty     =Republican
| circuitclerk      =Cheryl Schultz
| circuitclerkparty =Republican
| countyclerk       =Susan Porterfield
| countyclerkparty  =Republican
| presiding         =Steve Daleske
| presidingparty    =Republican
| district1         =Scott Harms
| district1party    =Republican
| district2         =Larry Berry
| district2party    =Republican
| collector         =David Brodersen
| collectorparty    =Republican
| coroner           =J. Weston Miller
| coronerparty      =Republican
| prosecutor        =Karen Coffey Woodley
| prosecutorparty   =Republican
| administrator     =Lori Dunkin
| administratorparty=Republican
| recorder          =Carla Brown
| recorderparty     =Republican
| sheriff           =Eric Knox
| sheriffparty      =Republican
| surveyor          =Jesse Wininger
| surveyorparty     =Republican
| treasurer         =Rick Renno
| treasurerparty    =Republican
}}

===State===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Past Gubernatorial Elections Results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[2024 Missouri gubernatorial election|2024]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''76.64%''' ''8,151''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|20.96% ''2,229''
|align="center" |2.40% ''156''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2020|2020]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''76.84%''' ''8,017''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|20.89% ''2,179''
|align="center" |2.27% ''237''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016|2016]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''63.41%''' ''6,047''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|33.55% ''3,199''
|align="center" |3.04% ''290''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012|2012]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.94%''' ''4,641''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.25% ''4,213''
|align="center" |2.81% ''256''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|41.57% ''3,967''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''56.09%''' ''5,353''
|align="center" |2.34% ''223''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''56.67%''' ''5,088''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|41.95% ''3,767''
|align="center" |1.39% ''124''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.76%''' ''3,944''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.58% ''3,407''
|align="center" |1.66% ''124''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|44.36% ''2,979''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''52.42%''' ''3,520''
|align="center" |3.22% ''216''
|}

Benton County is split between two of Missouri's legislative districts that elect members of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]. Both are represented by Republicans.

*District 57 — [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2020&code=R&district=057 Rodger Reedy] (R-[[Windsor, Missouri|Windsor]]). Consists of the northern half of the county, including Cole Camp, Ionia, and Lincoln.
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Benton County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Rodger Reedy'''
  |votes      = '''4,127'''
  |percentage = '''100.00%'''
  |change     = '''+17.13'''
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 57 — Benton County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Rodger Reedy'''
  |votes      = '''2,966'''
  |percentage = '''82.87%'''
  |change     = '''+9.55'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Joan Shores
  |votes      = 613
  |percentage = 17.13%
  |change     = -9.55
  }}
{{Election box end}}
  
*District 125 — [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2021&code=R&district=125 Jim Kalberloh] (R-[[Lowry City, Missouri|Lowry City]]). Consists of the southern half of the county, including Edwards and Warsaw.
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 125 — Benton County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Jim Kalberloh'''
  |votes      = '''5,010'''
  |percentage = '''100.00%'''
  |change     = '''+38.24'''
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 125 — Benton County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Warren D. Love'''
  |votes      = '''2,910'''
  |percentage = '''61.76%'''
  |change     = '''-38.24'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Chase Crawford
  |votes      = 1,802
  |percentage = 38.24%
  |change     = +38.24
  }}
{{Election box end}}

All of Benton County is a part of Missouri's 28th District in the [[Missouri Senate]], which is represented by [https://www.senate.mo.gov/mem28/ Sandy Crawford] (R-[[Buffalo, Missouri|Buffalo]]). A previous incumbent, [[Mike Parson]], was elected [[Lieutenant Governor of Missouri|Lieutenant Governor]] in 2016 and became [[Governor of Missouri|Governor]] in 2018 following the resignation of [[Eric Greitens]]. 
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 28 — Benton County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Sandy Crawford'''
  |votes      = '''6,198'''
  |percentage = '''75.36%'''
  |change     = '''+13.60'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Joe Poor
  |votes      = 2,027
  |percentage = 24.64%
  |change     = -13.60
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 28 Special Election — Benton County (2017)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Sandy Crawford'''
  |votes      = '''877'''
  |percentage = '''61.76%'''
  |change     = '''-38.24'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Albert J. Skalicky
  |votes      = 543
  |percentage = 38.24%
  |change     = +38.24
  }}
{{Election box end}}

===Federal===
All of Benton County is included in [[MO-04|Missouri's 4th Congressional District]] and is currently represented by [[Vicky Hartzler]] (R-[[Harrisonville, Missouri|Harrisonville]]) in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. Hartzler was elected to a sixth term in [[2020 United States House of Representatives elections|2020]] over Democratic challenger Lindsey Simmons.
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 4th Congressional District — Benton County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Vicky Hartzler'''
  |votes      = '''7,981'''
  |percentage = '''77.28%'''
  |change     = '''+5.54'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Lindsey Simmons
  |votes      = 2,073
  |percentage = 20.07%
  |change     = -5.72
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Steven K. Koonse
  |votes      = 273
  |percentage = 2.64%
  |change     = +0.17
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 4th Congressional District — Benton County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Vicky Hartzler'''
  |votes      = '''5,966'''
  |percentage = '''71.74%'''
  |change     = '''-1.99'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Renee Hoagenson
  |votes      = 2,145
  |percentage = 25.79%
  |change     = +3.91
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Mark Bliss
  |votes      = 205
  |percentage = 2.47%
  |change     = -1.93
  }}
{{Election box end}}

Benton County, along with the rest of the state of Missouri, is represented in the [[U.S. Senate]] by [[Josh Hawley]] (R-[[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]]) and [[Roy Blunt]] (R-[[Strafford, Missouri|Strafford]]).
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate – Class I – Benton County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Josh Hawley'''
  |votes      = '''5,685'''
  |percentage = '''68.05%'''
  |change     = '''+20.84'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Claire McCaskill
  |votes      = 2,318
  |percentage = 27.75%
  |change     = -17.32
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = Craig O'Dear
  |votes      = 166
  |percentage = 1.99%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Japheth Campbell
  |votes      = 127
  |percentage = 1.52%
  |change     = -6.20
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jo Crain
  |votes      = 58
  |percentage = 0.69%
  |change     = +0.69
}}
{{Election box end}}

Blunt was elected to a second term in [[2016 United States Senate elections|2016]] over then-Missouri Secretary of State [[Jason Kander]].
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. Senate — Missouri — Benton County (2016)<ref name=MOSOS>{{cite web|title= County Results - State of Missouri - 2016 General Election - November 8, 2016 - Official Results|publisher=Missouri Secretary of State| url=http://enr.sos.mo.gov/CountyResults.aspx|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2017}}</ref>}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Roy Blunt'''
  |votes      = '''5,891'''
  |percentage = '''61.87%'''
  |change     = '''+14.66'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jason Kander
  |votes      = 3,097
  |percentage = 32.52%
  |change     = -12.55
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jonathan Dine
  |votes      = 300
  |percentage = 3.15%
  |change     = -4.57
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Johnathan McFarland
  |votes      = 103
  |percentage = 1.08%
  |change     = +1.08
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Constitution Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Fred Ryman
  |votes      = 131
  |percentage = 1.38%
  |change     = +1.38
  }}
{{Election box end}}

====Political culture====
{{PresHead|place=Benton County, Missouri|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,526|2,166|77|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,109|2,180|195|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,213|2,025|352|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,069|2,925|163|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,759|3,629|223|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,575|3,381|53|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,218|3,150|166|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,895|2,996|824|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,511|3,195|1,570|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,467|2,654|24|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,805|2,251|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,451|2,241|160|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,875|2,684|28|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,537|1,423|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,899|1,345|498|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,477|2,030|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,484|1,496|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,145|1,563|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,470|1,303|26|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,768|1,360|3|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,294|1,108|6|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,912|1,765|18|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|3,375|1,950|21|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,038|2,596|38|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,411|1,296|9|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,693|1,588|155|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,367|1,506|42|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,842|1,285|56|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,142|1,209|704|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,924|1,280|52|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,963|1,372|109|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,980|1,532|128|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,957|1,762|63|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,570|1,058|450|Missouri}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|1,704|1,374|62|Missouri}}

At the presidential level, Benton County is solidly Republican. Benton County strongly favored [[Donald Trump]] in both [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]] and [[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]. [[Bill Clinton]] was the last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Benton County in [[1996 United States presidential election|1996]] with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since [[Franklin Roosevelt]] in [[1932 United States presidential election|1932]].

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Benton County generally adhere to socially and culturally [[Conservatism|conservative]] principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. Despite Benton County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing [[Populism|populist]] causes. In 2018, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition A) concerning [[Right to Work|right to work]], the outcome of which ultimately reversed the right to work legislation passed in the state the previous year. 64.74% of Benton County voters cast their ballots to overturn the law.

===Missouri presidential preference primaries===

====2020====
The 2020 presidential primaries for both the Democratic and Republican parties were held in Missouri on March 10. On the Democratic side, former [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Joe Biden]] (D-[[Delaware]]) both won statewide and carried Benton County by a wide margin. Biden went on to defeat [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] in the general election.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Benton County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Joe Biden'''
  |votes      = '''843'''
  |percentage = '''69.50'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bernie Sanders
  |votes      = 280
  |percentage = 23.08
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Tulsi Gabbard
  |votes      = 10
  |percentage = 0.82
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 80
  |percentage = 6.60
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

Incumbent [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] (R-[[Florida]]) faced a primary challenge from former [[Governor of Massachusetts|Massachusetts Governor]] [[Bill Weld]], but won both Benton County and statewide by overwhelming margins.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Benton County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Donald Trump'''
  |votes      = '''1,520'''
  |percentage = '''98.45'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bill Weld
  |votes      = 3
  |percentage = 0.19
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 21
  |percentage = 1.36
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

====2016====
The 2016 presidential primaries for both the Republican and Democratic parties were held in Missouri on March 15. Businessman [[Donald Trump]] (R-[[New York (state)|New York]]) narrowly won the state overall but carried a majority of the vote in Benton County. He went on to win the presidency.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Benton County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Donald Trump'''
  |votes      = '''2,278'''
  |percentage = '''55.40'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Ted Cruz
  |votes      = 1,314
  |percentage = 31.96
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John Kasich
  |votes      = 287
  |percentage = 6.98
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Marco Rubio
  |votes      = 138
  |percentage = 3.36
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 95
  |percentage = 2.31
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

On the Democratic side, former [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] (D-[[New York (state)|New York]]) narrowly won statewide and carried a majority in Benton County.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Benton County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hillary Clinton'''
  |votes      = '''669'''
  |percentage = '''53.31'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bernie Sanders
  |votes      = 568
  |percentage = 45.26
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 18
  |percentage = 1.43
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

====2012====
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Benton County supported former [[U.S. Senator]] [[Rick Santorum]] (R-[[Pennsylvania]]), who finished first in the state at large, but eventually lost the nomination to former [[Governor of Massachusetts|Governor]] [[Mitt Romney]] (R-[[Massachusetts]]). Delegates to the congressional district and state conventions were chosen at a county caucus, which selected a delegation favoring Santorum. Incumbent [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] easily won the Missouri Democratic Primary and renomination. He defeated Romney in the general election.

====2008====
In 2008, the Missouri Republican Presidential Primary was closely contested, with [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John McCain]] (R-[[Arizona]]) prevailing and eventually winning the nomination. However, former [[Governor of Arkansas|Governor]] [[Mike Huckabee]] (R-[[Arkansas]]) won a slim plurality in Benton County.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Benton County (2008)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Mike Huckabee'''
  |votes      = '''824'''
  |percentage = '''35.58'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John McCain
  |votes      = 803
  |percentage = 34.67
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Mitt Romney
  |votes      = 580
  |percentage = 25.04
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Ron Paul
  |votes      = 75
  |percentage = 3.24
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 34
  |percentage = 1.46
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

Then-[[United States Senator|Senator]] [[Hillary Clinton]] (D-[[New York (state)|New York]]) received more votes than any candidate from either party in Benton County during the 2008 presidential primary. Despite initial reports that Clinton had won Missouri, [[Barack Obama]] (D-[[Illinois]]), also a [[United States Senator|Senator]] at the time, narrowly defeated her statewide and later became that year's Democratic nominee, going on to win the presidency.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Benton County (2008)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hillary Clinton'''
  |votes      = '''1,753'''
  |percentage = '''68.77'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Barack Obama
  |votes      = 687
  |percentage = 26.95
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 109
  |percentage = 4.28
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}