January 19th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Conservative Republican and lifelong St. Francois County resident Kent Scism announced Monday he is running for St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner, pledging to bring greater transparency, fiscal responsibility, and common-sense leadership to county government.
Scism said his campaign will focus on restoring trust in county government by opening decision-making to the public, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring county resources are spent wisely.
“County government should work for the people who pay the bills,” Scism said. “That starts with transparency, honest budgeting, and leadership that treats every tax dollar with respect.”
According to Scism, taxpayers deserve to know how their money is spent and why. If elected, he says his priorities will include open and accessible county meetings, clear and easy-to-understand budgets, responsible spending focused on core county services, and eliminating waste and inefficiency in county operations.
Scism brings decades of business experience to his campaign. He worked for more than 40 years at Sam Scism Ford, the family-owned dealership founded by his father, before retiring in 2020. During that time, he helped manage budgets, payrolls, and long-term planning through changing economic conditions.
“Kent understands conservative values,” said Tom Burcham, a longtime St. Francois County Republican. “He’s a lifelong Republican who believes in limited government, lower taxes, and accountability, exactly what this county needs right now.”
In addition to his business background, Scism has been active in local politics. He previously served as chairman of the St. Francois County Republican Central Committee, where he helped expand grassroots participation and led the committee to record fundraising levels. He has also advocated for conservative solutions during a prior campaign for the Missouri State Senate.
“Kent knows how to run a business and manage a budget,” said Jamie Strange, a local business owner. “He understands what it means to balance the books, make tough decisions, and plan for the future, skills that are badly needed in our county government today.”
Scism’s platform also emphasizes infrastructure and cooperation between local governments as key components of economic development. He supports maintaining and improving county roads and bridges, working collaboratively with cities and townships, supporting responsible development that attracts jobs without overburdening taxpayers, and strengthening partnerships with regional and state economic development organizations.
Former Sheriff Daniel Bullock voiced his support, saying Scism has shown strong backing for law enforcement and community-based public safety efforts.
“Kent has shown unwavering support of law enforcement and community-based public safety initiatives,” Bullock said. “I am confident that Kent will be an asset to the commission and our community.”
Scism will officially launch his campaign with a public kickoff event on January 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Four Towns Brewing Company. The event is open to supporters, community leaders, and residents.
Running as a conservative Republican, Scism says he stands for protecting life, defending the Second Amendment, shrinking the role of government, and putting local citizens first.
“This campaign is about preserving the values that make St. Francois County a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” Scism said. “I’m ready to serve and earn the trust of the people.”
Kent Scism will appear on the August 4, 2026, Republican primary ballot for St. Francois County Presiding Commissioner.