Editing Butler County, Missouri (section)

==Politics==

===Local===
{{Missouri county elected officials
| name              =Butler County, Missouri
| assessor          =Chris Rickman
| assessorparty     =Republican
| circuitclerk      =Cindi Bowman
| circuitclerkparty =Republican
| countyclerk       =Donna Hillis
| countyclerkparty  =Republican
| presiding         =Vince Lampe
| presidingparty    =Republican
| district1         =Don Anderson
| district1party    =Republican
| district2         =Dennis LeGrand
| district2party    =Republican
| collector         =Emily Parks
| collectorparty    =Republican
| coroner           =Jim Akers
| coronerparty      =Republican
| prosecutor        =Kacey Proctor
| prosecutorparty   =Republican
| administrator     =Jeff Darnell
| administratorparty=Republican
| recorder          =Debby Lundstrom
| recorderparty     =Republican
| sheriff           =Mark Dobbs
| sheriffparty      =Republican
| surveyor          =
| surveyorparty     =
| treasurer         =Tammy Marler
| treasurerparty    =Republican
}}
The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] completely controls all politics at the local level in Butler County.

===State===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Past gubernatorial election 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"|'''82.17%''' ''14,510''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|16.23% ''2,866''
|align="center" |1.60% ''282''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2020|2020]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''79.63%''' ''14,337''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|18.60% ''3,349''
|align="center" |1.77% ''318''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2016|2016]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''73.78%''' ''12,598''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|23.65% ''4,039''
|align="center" |2.57% ''438''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2012|2012]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''55.46%''' ''9,251''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.18% ''7,036''
|align="center" |2.36% ''393''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.12%''' ''9,205''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|43.86% ''7,459''
|align="center" |2.02% ''343''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2004|2004]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''66.12%''' ''10,796''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|32.85% ''5,364''
|align="center" |1.03% ''168''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 2000|2000]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''58.40%''' ''8,301''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|39.80% ''5,657''
|align="center" |1.80% ''257''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1996|1996]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|47.71% ''6,793''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''50.63%''' ''7,208''
|align="center" |1.66% ''237''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1992|1992]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|49.18% ''7,335''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''50.82%''' ''7,581''
|align="center" |0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1988|1988]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''66.86%''' ''9,060''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|33.12% ''4,488''
|align="center" |0.02% ''3''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1984|1984]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''59.67%''' ''7,875''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|40.33% ''5,323''
|align="center" |0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1980|1980]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''53.17%''' ''7,471''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.75% ''6,569''
|align="center" |0.07% ''10''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1976|1976]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.91%''' ''6,489''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|46.82% ''5,742''
|align="center" |0.27% ''33''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1972|1972]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''54.67%''' ''6,972''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.23% ''5,768''
|align="center" |0.09% ''12''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1968|1968]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|41.44% ''5,393''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''58.56%''' ''7,621''
|align="center" |0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1964|1964]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|38.67% ''5,021''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''61.33%''' ''7,964''
|align="center" |0.00% ''0''
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[Missouri gubernatorial election, 1960|1960]]
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|49.56% ''6,772''
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''50.44%''' ''6,891''
|align="center" |0.00% ''0''
|}

Butler County is split between two legislative districts in the [[Missouri House of Representatives]], both of which are represented by Republicans.

* District 152 is currently represented by [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2021&code=R&district=152 Hardy Billington] (R-[[Poplar Bluff, Missouri|Poplar Bluff]]). It consists of all of the cities of Neelyville, Qulin, and Poplar Bluff; all of the census-designated place of Harviell; and the unincorporated communities of Angus, Batesville, Belcher, Booser, Broseley, Fagus, Hubbel, Kremlin, Loma Linda, Nyssa, Oglesville, Platanus, Resnik, Roxie, Taft, and Vastus.
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 152 — Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hardy Billington'''
  |votes      = '''9,595'''
  |percentage = '''100.00%'''
  |change     = '''+30.81'''
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 152 — Butler County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hardy Billington'''
  |votes      = '''5,890'''
  |percentage = '''69.19%'''
  |change     = '''-30.81'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Robert L. Smith
  |votes      = 2,623
  |percentage = 30.81%
  |change     = +30.81
  }}
{{Election box end}}

* District 153 is currently represented by [https://www.house.mo.gov/MemberDetails.aspx?year=2021&code=R&district=153 Darrell Atchison] (R-[[Williamsville, Missouri|Williamsville]]). It consists of all of the city of Fisk and the unincorporated communities of Ash Hill, Barron, Empire, Halloran, Hamtown, Hendrickson, Hilliard, Keener, Kinzer, Morocco, Rombauer, and Wilby.
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 153 — Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Darrell Atchison'''
  |votes      = '''6,147'''
  |percentage = '''100.00%'''
  |change     = '''+18.87'''
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri House of Representatives — District 153 — Butler County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Jeff Shawan'''
  |votes      = '''4,249'''
  |percentage = '''81.13%'''
  |change     = '''+0.04'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Matt Michel
  |votes      = 988
  |percentage = 18.87%
  |change     = -0.05
  }}
{{Election box end}}

All of Butler County is included in Missouri's 25th Senatorial District and is represented by Republican [https://www.senate.mo.gov/mem25/ Jason Bean] (R-[[Holcomb, Missouri|Holcomb]]) in the [[Missouri Senate]].
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 25 — Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Jason Bean'''
  |votes      = '''16,168'''
  |percentage = '''100.00%'''
  |change     = '''+23.84'''
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=Missouri Senate — District 25 — Butler County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Doug Libla'''
  |votes      = '''12,741'''
  |percentage = '''76.16%'''
  |change     = '''+6.54'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = [[Bill Burlison]]
  |votes      = 3,989
  |percentage = 23.84%
  |change     = -6.54
  }}
{{Election box end}}

===Federal===
All of Butler County is included in [[MO-08|Missouri's 8th Congressional District]] and is currently represented by [[Jason Smith (American politician)|Jason Smith]] (R-[[Salem, Missouri|Salem]]) in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. Smith was elected to a fifth term in [[2020 United States House of Representatives elections|2020]] over Democratic challenger Kathy Ellis.
{{Election box begin | title=U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri’s 8th Congressional District – Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Jason Smith'''
  |votes      = '''14,372'''
  |percentage = '''80.67%'''
  |change     = '''+1.02'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Kathy Ellis
  |votes      = 3,154
  |percentage = 17.70%
  |change     = -1.14
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Tom Schmitz
  |votes      = 289
  |percentage = 1.62%
  |change     = +0.11
  }}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=U.S. House of Representatives – Missouri's 8th Congressional District – Butler County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Jason Smith'''
  |votes      = '''11,060'''
  |percentage = '''79.65%'''
  |change     = '''+0.24'''
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Kathy Ellis
  |votes      = 2,616
  |percentage = 18.84%
  |change     = +0.79
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jonathan L. Shell
  |votes      = 210
  |percentage = 1.51%
  |change     = -1.04
  }}
{{Election box end}}

Butler 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 – Butler County (2018)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Josh Hawley'''
  |votes      = '''10,727'''
  |percentage = '''76.47%'''
  |change     = '''+22.14'''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Claire McCaskill
  |votes      = 2,961
  |percentage = 21.11%
  |change     = -19.48
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = Craig O'Dear
  |votes      = 147
  |percentage = 1.05%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Japheth Campbell
  |votes      = 115
  |percentage = 0.82%
  |change     = -4.26
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jo Crain
  |votes      = 77
  |percentage = 0.55%
  |change     = +0.55
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = 
  |candidate  = Write-Ins
  |votes      = 1
  |percentage = 0.01%
  |change     = 
}}
{{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 - Class III - Butler County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Roy Blunt'''
  |votes      = '''11,764'''
  |percentage = '''69.22%'''
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jason Kander
  |votes      = 4,543
  |percentage = 26.73%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Jonathan Dine
  |votes      = 371
  |percentage = 2.18%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Green Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Johnathan McFarland
  |votes      = 185
  |percentage = 1.09%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Constitution Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Fred Ryman
  |votes      = 132
  |percentage = 0.78%
  |change     = 
}}
{{Election box end}}

====Political culture====
{{PresHead|place=Butler 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|14,549|3,160|217|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|14,602|3,301|266|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,650|3,036|573|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,248|4,363|278|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|11,805|5,316|217|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,696|4,666|79|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,111|4,996|290|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,996|5,780|1,567|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|6,450|6,602|2,220|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,968|5,751|19|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,712|4,699|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|8,342|5,605|234|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|5,669|6,759|57|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|9,198|3,466|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,326|4,379|2,759|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,616|7,710|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|8,751|5,406|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|7,216|5,869|0|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,843|6,426|16|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,276|5,319|35|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|6,375|4,219|32|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|8,024|6,213|38|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|6,355|6,234|42|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,155|6,058|90|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,591|3,320|38|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,489|2,953|577|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,601|2,662|179|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,717|2,135|202|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,851|1,946|868|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,186|1,893|189|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,960|1,369|239|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,888|1,670|89|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,635|1,743|15|Missouri}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,052|1,233|202|Missouri}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Democratic|857|1,189|43|Missouri}}

At the presidential level, Butler County is solidly Republican. Butler 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 Butler County in [[1992 United States presidential election|1992]] with a plurality of the vote, and a Democrat hasn't won majority support from the county's voters in a presidential election since [[Jimmy Carter]] in [[1976 United States presidential election|1976]].

Like most rural areas throughout Missouri, voters in Butler County generally adhere to socially and culturally [[Conservatism|conservative]] principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. Despite Butler 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. 54.47% of Butler 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 Butler 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 – Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Joe Biden'''
  |votes      = '''997'''
  |percentage = '''60.72'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bernie Sanders
  |votes      = 564
  |percentage = 34.35
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Tulsi Gabbard
  |votes      = 10
  |percentage = 0.61
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 71
  |percentage = 4.32
  |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 Butler County and statewide by overwhelming margins.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2020)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Donald Trump'''
  |votes      = '''2,999'''
  |percentage = '''98.65'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bill Weld
  |votes      = 7
  |percentage = 0.23
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 34
  |percentage = 1.12
  |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 Butler County. He went on to win the presidency.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Donald Trump'''
  |votes      = '''3,652'''
  |percentage = '''50.47'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Ted Cruz
  |votes      = 2,676
  |percentage = 36.98
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John Kasich
  |votes      = 427
  |percentage = 5.90
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Marco Rubio
  |votes      = 324
  |percentage = 4.48
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 157
  |percentage = 2.17
  |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 Butler County.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Democratic Presidential Primary – Butler County (2016)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hillary Clinton'''
  |votes      = '''889'''
  |percentage = '''52.76'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Bernie Sanders
  |votes      = 766
  |percentage = 45.46
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 30
  |percentage = 1.78
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}

====2012====
The 2012 Missouri Republican Presidential Primary's results were nonbinding on the state's national convention delegates. Voters in Butler 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 plurality in Butler County.
{{Election box begin | title=Missouri Republican Presidential Primary – Butler County (2008)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Mike Huckabee'''
  |votes      = '''2,215'''
  |percentage = '''48.85'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John McCain
  |votes      = 1,117
  |percentage = 24.64
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Mitt Romney
  |votes      = 1,007
  |percentage = 22.21
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Ron Paul
  |votes      = 134
  |percentage = 2.96
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 61
  |percentage = 1.35
  |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 Butler 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 – Butler County (2008)}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = '''Hillary Clinton'''
  |votes      = '''2,490'''
  |percentage = '''69.87'''
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Barack Obama
  |votes      = 960
  |percentage = 26.94
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Others/Uncommitted
  |votes      = 114
  |percentage = 3.20
  |change     = 
  }}
{{Election box end}}