Which Candidates Have Received Campaign Contributions from OCRC in 2026?

As part of OCRC's mission to recruit strong conservative candidates and support Republicans as allowed under Missouri law, we provide $100 campaign contributions to those who have successfully filed their candidacy for county offices. For state and federal offices that represent Osage County, OCRC does not nominate those candidates — but we recognize those who choose to voluntarily demonstrate their strong conservative values and commitment to the Republican Party platform. Here are the letters showing OCRC's 2026 contributions: $100 Valerie Prater for County Treasurer $100 John Glavin for Presiding Commissioner $100 John Grady for State Representative 61st District More contributions will be added as nominations by the committee are made. For details on our nomination process, see our Candidate Nominations page .

What Key Documents Explain OCRC Nominations & Vetting?

If you're interested in OCRC's nomination process (including vetting for Republican candidates), here are the most important documents to start with. These provide the basics, legal context, and recent actions: Mar. 10, 2026 — Returning checks to 6 candidates, no nomination given: Press Release: OCRC Returns Filing Fee Checks to Six Candidates , Cover Letter to County Clerk , and copies of letters and checks returned to 6 candidates Mar. 6 & 7, 2026 — Cease & Desist: Press Release: OCRC Sends Cease-and-Desist Letter to Osage County Clerk and Cease-and-Desist Letter to Osage County Clerk Mar. 4, 2026 — Elections Complaint update: Update to SOS Election Complaint - Filing Fees Mailed 36 Minutes After Complaint Notice Mar. 2, 2026 — Elections Complaint against County Clerk: Press Release: OCRC Files Election Complaint Against Osage County Clerk for Failure to Forward Filing Fees and Complaint: Elections Complaint Filed with Missouri SOS - Failure to Forward Filing Fees Feb. 26, 2026 — Rejection of Candidacy of Darryl Griffin: Press Release: OCRC Rejects Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin's 2026 Republican Candidacy Feb. 24, 2026 — First day of candidate filing, conversation with county clerk: Contemporaneous Notes - Interaction with Osage County Clerk Jan. 14, 2026 — Information to Potential Candidates: 2026 Vetting Letter and Instructions - Potential Candidates Jan. 14, 2026 — Advising County Clerk of 2026 nomination requirements: Official Letter to Osage County Clerk Notifying of 2026 Vetting Dec. 12, 2025 — About vetting, informing the county clerk: Email Thread with County Clerk Notifying of 2026 Vetting Jun. 3-11, 2025 — Question from county clerk about vetting: Clerk Vetting Inquiry email thread with Linda Rantz

What's a Sunshine Request?

Good question. A Sunshine Request is a request asking a public body or public official in Missouri for records or to attend an open meeting. Missouri’s Sunshine Law (also called the “Sunshine Law”) requires most government agencies, boards, commissions, and elected officials to make their records and meetings open to the public unless a specific legal exemption applies. You can request emails, letters, contracts, meeting minutes, budgets, and more. Anyone can make a Sunshine Request — no lawyer needed. The public body must respond “promptly” and cannot charge excessive fees. Many people use this tool to obtain communications between county officials and outside groups such as the Clerk’s Association or Commissioners Association.

Can I Sunshine Request OCRC for Other Documents?

No. The Osage County Republican Central Committee is a private political organization, similar to a parent-teacher group or professional association. We are not subject to Missouri’s Sunshine Law. Internal records such as meeting minutes, reports, bylaws, and strategy documents remain private unless the committee votes to release them. However, you can still obtain a great deal of information by filing a Sunshine Request with a public official . For example, to see what the Clerk’s Association or Commissioners Association is telling our clerk or commissioners, you can request all emails and letters the clerk or commissioners sent to or received from those groups.

What Types of Information Can Be Searched?

The Library contains official documents, scanned images, court filings, email threads, press releases, and even links to important external resources. Want to find something specific? Type a politician’s name (e.g., “Darryl Griffin” or “Brooke Dudenhoeffer”). Search for an event (e.g., “Trump Day Dinner”). Look for a topic (e.g., “Filing Fees” or “Vetting”). The search box filters results live as you type.

Are All of the Republican Committee Documents Uploaded Here?

No — not every internal committee document is public. This Library contains public records and committee materials that we have chosen to release for full transparency, especially in light of recent pushback from county officials regarding the committee’s vetting authority and receipt requirements. If you hear something in the local paper, from a county official, or in conversation and want the actual facts or a rebuttal, the evidence is likely here. Our goal is to publish nearly all communications with public officials so voters can see the complete record.

How to Navigate the Library

The OCRC Library is designed to be easy to use. You have three simple options: Use the Category or Tag filters at the top (you can use both together). Type any word or phrase in the Search box — the list filters instantly as you type. Scroll through the full list. All items in the Title, Category, and Tags are clickable. For example, if you see an interesting tag like “Secretary of State,” just click it and the library instantly shows only the related items.

Does vetting mean the committee is choosing which Republicans can run, or rating candidates like a primary?

No — vetting is not the same as a primary election or a rating system that picks "winners" or finalists. The primary election (held in August) is where Republican voters choose among qualified Republican candidates for each office. The committee does not decide who wins or who advances — that's up to the voters. Vetting is simply the committee's process to determine whether a candidate can appear on the ballot using the Republican Party label . It ensures basic alignment with the Missouri Republican Party Platform and committee goals before the name goes under "Republican" on the ballot. Once vetted and filed with our receipt, the candidate is fully eligible for the primary — voters decide the rest. Think of it like this: A political party has the right to control who uses its name (protected by the U.S. Supreme Court in California Democratic Party v. Jones , 2000). Vetting is that gatekeeping step — it protects the party "brand" so voters know the candidates listed as Republicans actually share core Republican principles. It does not replace or interfere with the democratic primary process. In 2024, Missouri eliminated the presidential preference primary and returned to the traditional caucus system for selecting national convention delegates and expressing presidential preference. Some voters confused the primary ballot (which still existed for other offices) with selecting the presidential nominee — but the caucus has always been the method for that. This change, combined with vetting discussions, led to some public confusion about how parties select or approve candidates. Vetting is separate: it's about party affiliation on the ballot, not nominating the winner.

What happens if a candidate tries to file as a Republican without completing vetting?

Per Missouri law ( RSMo 115.357 ) and OCRC bylaws, candidates seeking to appear on the ballot as Republicans must pay their filing fee to the committee treasurer and receive a receipt from the committee. Without completing the required vetting process and obtaining our receipt, the committee does not accept the fee or recognize the candidacy under the Republican label. In 2024, when the former Osage County Clerk accepted a cash filing fee directly from a candidate who had not completed vetting (for Coroner) and placed that individual on the ballot as a Republican, OCRC filed a lawsuit against the clerk to enforce our authority over the party nomination process. The county commission approved the use of county funds to hire outside counsel, who filed an answer and motion to dismiss on the clerk’s behalf. No hearing was requested by either side, and as of early 2026 the case remains pending with no further action or docket removal by the court. This ongoing matter underscores the significant legal implications — even in small counties — of a political party’s First Amendment right to control who may use its name on the ballot.

Why does OCRC require vetting for Republican candidates?

Vetting ensures that candidates who appear on the ballot as Republicans align with the Missouri Republican Party Platform and conservative principles. It protects the Republican "brand" and prevents voter confusion or deception by allowing only qualified, aligned individuals to run under our party label. This is a common practice among political parties nationwide to maintain integrity and fulfill their role in recruiting and supporting candidates who share core values.

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FAQs

Which Candidates Have Received Campaign Contributions from OCRC in 2026?
Categories: Library▪
What Key Documents Explain OCRC Nominations & Vetting?
Categories: Library▪
What’s a Sunshine Request?
Categories: Library▪
Can I Sunshine Request OCRC for Other Documents?
Categories: Library▪
What Types of Information Can Be Searched?
Categories: Library▪
Are All of the Republican Committee Documents Uploaded Here?
Categories: Library▪
How to Navigate the Library
Categories: Library▪
Does vetting mean the committee is choosing which Republicans can run, or rating candidates like a primary?
Categories: Vetting▪
What happens if a candidate tries to file as a Republican without completing vetting?
Categories: Vetting▪
Why does OCRC require vetting for Republican candidates?
Categories: Vetting▪

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