The Jefferson Review Voters Guide

Special Edition

The Jefferson Review Voters Guide is designed to help voters hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent Jefferson County. Candidate answers are published as submitted so readers can compare responses in each race.

Editor’s Note: Candidate responses are not endorsements by The Jefferson Review. Answers are provided by the candidates and are shared for voter information.

John Stockton

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Short Candidate Bio

Lifelong Jefferson County resident, Christian, husband, dad, business owner, and job creator—serving with faith, hard work, common sense, and local roots. I was raised in Arnold by a single mom who worked two jobs. With her hard work and help from my grandparents, my brother and I attended Immaculate Conception Grade School, and I graduated from St. Pius X High School in Festus. In my early twenties, I had a life-changing experience and began attending Arnold Baptist Church. That is where I first laid eyes on my best friend and wife, Shannon Karr, a graduate of Herky High! After College Graduation, we started our life and business in the basement of our Herculaneum home. Later moving to our dream home in Bailey Station in Festus, where we live today. This county shaped me and has given my family so many opportunities. That is why I will work to serve you.

Why are you running for this office?

Jefferson County is my home. It is where I was raised, met my wife Shannon. Where, together with the help of the community built our businesses, where we raised our three children (Mackenzie, Savannah, Carter), and where I will continue to serve. I am not doing this because I want another title. The only thing I need to hear is well done, my good and faithful servant. Which is what public office is all about! Being a Servant! I am doing this because I believe our county is at a tipping point. Growth is here, decisions are being made, and we the people deserve leadership that listens, shows up at your door, and puts Jefferson County first. I believe that Common Sense, hard work and deep community roots matter. Our local businesses matter. I believe families matter. I believe neighborhoods matter. I believe government should be transparent, held accountable, and focused on serving people—not politics. I am running because I love this county, I believe in its future, and I want to help make sure Jefferson County remains the great place where families can continue to live, work, raise children, and thrive for another 250 years and generations to come.

What experience best prepares you to serve in this role?

I could point to contract negotiations, budget preparation, payroll, hiring, managing employees, working with vendors, making difficult financial decisions, capital allocation, and all the other responsibilities that come with running a business. They have all prepared me to take responsibility, be held accountable, and get things done! But the truth is, the experience that best prepares me to serve is dealing with people, difficult situations, and solving problems. Leadership is not just about numbers or operations. It is about listening, staying calm under pressure, making fair decisions, and remembering who you answer to. I have never run for office before, and I am not taking outside campaign money. That matters because decisions should be made with common sense and the best interest of Jefferson County in mind—not political pressure, donors, or special interests. In public office, the residents who vote are your bosses. They deserve to be heard, respected, and served. They deserve a government that is transparent, accountable, and focused on people—not politics. That is the experience I would bring: business experience, common sense, independence, and a clear understanding that elected officials work for the people and stay accountable to them.

What is the most important issue facing Jefferson County right now?

I have personally knocked on over 5,000 doors and listened to thousands of residents on their front porches. While every area is different, several common themes continue to come up across the county: affordable housing, generating more sales tax revenue without raising taxes, funding essential services like firefighters, ambulance districts, and law enforcement, and helping our aging population stay in their homes while also addressing the lack of available senior living options. Jefferson County has seven districts. Each district has its own unique needs and concerns. Very high level, here are some of the issues that are recurring in each district: District 1: District 1 has several industrial parks and needs additional resources to help those businesses grow, thrive, and create jobs. Sewers on the southern side District 2: A pedistrian bridge connecting Fox High School to the Walgreens area on 61/67 and also losing its identity District 3: Apartment concerns and Rock Creek watershed. District 4: Rock Creek watershed and flooding. District 5: Data center concerns and transparency development of the port. District 6: Expansion of Highway 21 to De Soto. Sewers District 7: Highway 30 safety concerns and high-speed accidents. Sewers Every district matters. Every voice matters.

What is one specific thing you would like to accomplish during your term?

The one thing I would like to get done is to make sure Jefferson County grows the right way and that we communicate internally and externally with the residents. That means future growth should help pay for the roads, sewer, stormwater, public safety, ambulance districts, firefighters, and services our residents already depend on. We should not just approve growth and leave taxpayers, neighborhoods, and first responders to deal with the consequences later. Every district has different needs, but the common issue is planning. We need responsible growth that protects neighborhoods, supports local businesses, creates more sales tax revenue without raising taxes, and makes sure essential services can keep up. If we do that right, Jefferson County can grow while still protecting the quality of life that made people want to live here in the first place.

How would you describe your approach to serving taxpayers?

Open, transparent, and honest communication. People deserve to know what is going on in their county government before decisions are made, not after. Social media is a great tool, but not everyone uses it the same way. Some residents read emails, some follow Facebook, some attend meetings, and the next generation is listening to podcasts and TikTok. We have to find a better way to communicate with all residents to the best of our ability. Maybe that means a county newsletter (like this one) that is emailed regularly. Maybe it means short videos, podcasts, social media updates, public forums, and better meeting summaries. Honestly, it may need to be all of the above. Communication cannot just be one-way. I will also continue going door to door, one district per month for seven months, so I can keep listening directly to the people. That is how we make sure what we are doing is working, hear about the good things happening, and stay ahead of developing issues before they become bigger problems. Good government starts with listening, showing up, and keeping people informed.

What is your vision for Jefferson County over the next four years?

We need to get all the right people in the same room. That includes state representatives, state senators, Missouri officials, members of Congress, county leaders, city officials, department heads, property owners, and business leaders working from the same prioritized list. Our message must be clear: they work for the people who voted them in, and Jefferson County has specific projects that need their help. We cannot expect Jefferson City or Washington, D.C. to respond if we are not organized, united, and clear about what we need. That same approach must happen inside county government. The County Council, department heads, and county leadership should meet regularly—not to micromanage, but to understand what is working, what is not, where help is needed, and how we plan for the future. We need to celebrate victories, identify problems early, and build a real roadmap for Jefferson County’s top priorities. We also need to fill our existing industrial parks and already-developed areas with businesses that create jobs, grow sales tax revenue, and strengthen our tax base. That will require working closely with cities, public officials, property owners, and business leaders. The vision is simple: get organized, speak with one voice, and fight for Jefferson County.

How would you evaluate the current direction of county government?

I believe Jefferson County has many good people working hard in Hillsboro and throughout the county government. I do not believe the problem is the people. I believe the concern is the current direction, communication, and level of trust. From the outside looking in, there seems to be a lack of trust inside county government leaders, and that eventually cascades out to the residents. If county leaders do not appear to trust each other, communicate clearly, or work from the same set of priorities, then it becomes very difficult for residents to trust the process. That has to change! County government has to open, honest, organized, and focused on the people it serves. Leaders should lead by example. That means listening, communicating before decisions are made, working together even when there are disagreements, and making sure residents understand what is happening and why. I believe Jefferson County is headed into a very important season of growth and decision-making. To move in the right direction, we need to rebuild trust, improve communication, and make sure county government is working together for the people—not against itself.

What departments or services would be your top priorities as county executive?

Our County Council needs better access to the budget and financial information—not to micromanage, but to understand the flow of money and make informed decisions for the residents. The public also deserves limited, understandable access to budget information so people can see where money is going and why decisions are being made. Council members should not have to race around at the last minute to make major decisions that affect taxpayers, county employees, and the future of Jefferson County. We need a clearer process, better communication, and more transparency. As our population has grown, so have our needs. The county needs to seriously plan for a modern courthouse and a larger jail, ideally as a combined courthouse and justice facility built for 50 years into the future. We also have aging infrastructure that must be addressed, along with the need for a strong park system that helps keep young families here and attracts new ones. All of this takes money. That is why economic development matters. We need to strengthen our economic development efforts and actively recruit the businesses, jobs, and development Jefferson County needs to grow the right way.

How would you work with the County Council when there are disagreements?

My approach would be simple: listen first, seek peace, speak truth, and handle conflict directly and quickly. I would be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. That means I would not react emotionally, make disagreements personal, or try to lead through pride or pressure. I would sit down with the council member, listen carefully, ask questions, and work to understand the concern. If there is a disagreement, I would go directly to the person first. If the issue cannot be resolved, then we bring additional people into the conversation, look at the facts, and work toward a solution respectfully. We need to speak the truth in love. That does not mean compromising core principles. It means being honest, willing to hear others, and keeping the needs of Jefferson County residents ahead of personal agendas. Leaders should set the tone by being calm, respectful, humble, and focused on what is right. Elected officials work for the people. If we communicate clearly, seek wisdom before making decisions, and keep Jefferson County as the priority, we can disagree without becoming divided and still move the county forward in a way that earns trust and respects the residents we serve.

What is your approach to the county budget, staffing, and long-term financial planning?

The County Council needs better access to budget information—not to micromanage departments, but to understand the flow of money and make informed decisions. Residents also deserve clear, understandable access to budget information so they can see where their tax dollars are going. Staffing, we have so many fantastic, hardworking people in the county. My goal would be to support existing employees, retain good people, place the right people in the right seats, and hold leadership accountable for results. Long-term, the goal would be not to have to react at the last minute. Our population is growing, our infrastructure is aging, and we need to seriously plan for roads, stormwater, parks, a modern courthouse, and a larger jail. We need to reduce any duplication of efforts and gain as many efficiencies as possible. Each 1% saved in efficiency based on the current budget is 1.65 million dollars. Efficiency costs nothing. The rest takes money, which is why economic development matters. We need to recruit businesses, fill existing commercial sites, grow our sales tax revenue without raising taxes. This will allow us to continue to build a financial rainy day fund that protects taxpayers while preparing Jefferson County for the future.

How should Jefferson County handle growth in areas where roads, public safety, and infrastructure are already under pressure?

Pausing is not a bad thing. It can give us time to evaluate, listen, and put a real plan in place before moving forward. Growth and development should not happen faster than our infrastructure can handle. Before major projects move ahead, we need to make sure roads, sewer, stormwater, public safety, fire, ambulance, and other essential services are ready so businesses and communities can hit the ground running. That is why it is so important to have all the stakeholders in the same room on a regular basis. County leaders, city officials, department heads, state representatives, state senators, members of Congress, business leaders, property owners, and public safety officials all need to hear the same message and work from the same set of priorities. A pause should not mean stopping progress. It should mean planning wisely, communicating clearly, and making sure Jefferson County is prepared for responsible growth.

What would you do to improve public trust in county government?

One thing I have learned from knocking on thousands of doors is that many residents are frustrated. They feel like their voices are not being heard, and when people feel ignored, they become less likely to show up, get involved, or vote. Residents need to know that their voice matters. They also need to be reminded that elected officials work for them, not the other way around. As I mentioned before, social media is a useful tool, but it is not the only way to communicate. In our business, we communicate with people in multiple ways because not everyone receives information the same way. County government should do the same. We need to reach residents through every practical channel: social media, email newsletters, public meetings, short videos, podcasts, mail when needed, and direct conversations in the community.

What is one decision you believe county government has handled well, and one area where it needs improvement?

There are a lot of good things happening in Jefferson County, and we should recognize them. One very recent example is the County Council approving the senior tax credit again. That matters. As I have gone door to door and listened to thousands of residents firsthand, this has been one of the number one issues I have heard about. Seniors want to stay in their homes, and they need to know Jefferson County understands the pressure they are facing. One area of improvement is the Rock Creek watershed area. I believe we need to slow down, take a closer look, and make sure we are not allowing development to move faster than the infrastructure can support. Growth is not bad; in fact, it is needed, but overdevelopment without the proper infrastructure( stormwater systems, sewers, public safety) has created long-term problems for residents. Sometimes the responsible thing to do is pause, evaluate, bring the right people to the table, and make sure we have a real plan before moving forward.

Would you support sewer and/or water service consolidation in the county? Why or Why not?

I support the consolidation of districts if it improves service, creates additional efficiency, and protects taxpayers—but only with a clear understanding that those public assets are not being consolidated just to be sold off later! I do not believe county government should be in the business of selling long-term public assets. We should be building them, improving them, and making sure they serve residents for generations. If the consolidation helps reduce duplication, improve planning, strengthen infrastructure, and provide better service, then it is worth considering and should be done. But it must be done transparently, with public input, clear financial numbers, and with citizen protections in place so residents know what they own, what it costs, and how it will be managed. The goal should not be a quick sale or a short-term budget fix. The goal should be to strengthen infrastructure, give better service, and long-term stability for Jefferson County residents.

Voters Guide Notice: This candidate profile is not a paid advertisement. Candidate responses are published as part of The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide and are presented in the candidate’s own words.

The opinions and statements expressed above are solely those of the candidate or campaign and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jefferson Review, its staff, sponsors, or partners. Publication of a candidate response does not constitute an endorsement.

Candidate responses were submitted through The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide questionnaire. Responses are presented in the candidate’s own words and have not been rewritten by The Jefferson Review. Formatting may be adjusted for spacing, readability, or display.

Questionnaire Note: Candidates were invited to respond to the same questionnaire for this office. If a question was left blank, The Jefferson Review may mark that answer as “No response provided.”