Sam Richards seeks another term as Festus Mayor

(Festus) Current Festus Mayor Sam Richards is seeking another term in office. Richards was elected to the post in 2019 and will seek another four-year term. Festus recently went through some changes in leadership as Jeff Broombaugh was hired as the City Fire Chief in December and the announcement that current Police Captain Doug Wendel will replace the retiring Tim Lews as Police Chief in May. Richards says the city is in good shape with its staff leaders.

Richards will be challenged by current councilman Bobby Venz in the April election. Richards defeated Venz by less than 100 votes in the 2019 election. All other Festus councilpersons that are up for re-election will be unopposed in the Municipal Election. They are David Boyer in Ward 1, Staci Templeton in Ward 2, Kevin Dennis in Ward 3, and Michael Cook in Ward 4.

There are two other contested mayors races in the April election. Longtime Herculaneum Mayor Bill Haggard will be challenged by Ryan Wright, and Hillsboro Mayor Buddy Russell will be challenged by Douglas Browning Jr. Meanwhile, current Pevely Mayor Stephanie Haas is running unopposed as is current Byrnes Mill Mayor Rob Kiczenski.