FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2026
Linn, Missouri – The Osage County Republican Central Committee (OCRC) has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer, addressing reports that she is advising Republican candidates they can bypass the committee’s nomination process by simply submitting their paperwork and filing fee directly to her office.
The letter clarifies that Missouri law (RsMO 115.357) is not just about filing fees — it governs the party’s nomination process. Candidates must seek nomination from the political party, and the committee alone has the authority to decide who appears on the Republican primary ballot for county-level races. The clerk’s role is limited to receiving the Candidate Declaration forms and forwarding fees to the committee treasurer; she has no authority to grant nominations.
OCRC Chairwoman Linda Rantz stated: “We are concerned that candidates are being misled. The Candidate Declaration Form they sign is a request for nomination, not an automatic grant. Our process ensures candidates align with conservative principles, but the statute doesn’t dictate how we nominate — we could flip a coin if we wanted. The clerk has zero authority to make those decisions on our behalf.”
The letter details OCRC’s nomination history: Started in 2023, used successfully for 8 candidates in 2024, and updated for 2026 with an online process available since January 13. As of March 6, OCRC has nominated Valerie Prater for Treasurer and John Glavin for Presiding Commissioner, while rejecting Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin.
Rantz added: “This is about protecting the Republican label and voter trust. Missouri courts affirm our right to avoid unwanted associations, and statutes like RsMO 115.363–115.379 reinforce the candidacy filing statutes (RsMO 115.355 and 115.357) by giving nomination authority to committees, not clerks.”
The letter demands the clerk cease providing inaccurate advice, noting continued actions by her could lead to further complaints with the Missouri Secretary of State or Attorney General.
OCRC encourages all interested Republicans in Osage County to complete the process by the March 29 deadline at OsageCountyRepublicans.com/Vetting. The full letter and related documents are available in the OCRC Sunshine Library at OsageCountyRepublicans.com/Library (search terms: cease, desist).
About OCRC The Osage County Republican Central Committee is the official voice of the Republican Party in Osage County, Missouri. We promote conservative values, nominate quality candidates, and support fair elections. For more, visit OsageCountyRepublicans.com.
Contact: Linda Rantz, Chairwoman, OCRC@OsageCountyRepublicans.com
