OCRC Library – Historical Documents and Records

March 3, 2026 confirmation letter to Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer acknowledging receipt of filing fee checks via certified mail. Reiterates that postal signature does not equal acceptance, explains the clerk’s duty to promptly forward fees, and states checks are held for 7 days pending vetting.

March 3, 2026 letter to non-incumbent candidate Carrie Muenks notifying that her filing fee check was received from the clerk but does not constitute acceptance. Check held for 7 days until March 10. Raises taxpayer funds concerns and reminds her of the February 26 instructions (attached as page 2). Copy of check enclosed.

March 3, 2026 letter to non-incumbent candidate Mary Ann Jacquin notifying that her filing fee check was received from the clerk but does not constitute acceptance. Check held for 7 days until March 10. Raises taxpayer funds concerns and reminds her of the February 26 instructions (attached as page 2). Copy of check enclosed.

March 3, 2026 formal letter to Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer confirming receipt of six filing fee checks in a handwritten envelope with no cover letter. Notes that postage was paid at 3:45 p.m. — 36 minutes after the clerk was emailed the SOS complaint. Clarifies that postal signature does not equal acceptance and that checks are held for 7 days pending vetting.

March 3, 2026 letter to Amanda Grellner notifying that her filing fee check was received from the clerk but does not constitute acceptance. Check held for 7 days until March 10. Vetting must be completed or check returned. Copy of check enclosed.

March 3, 2026 letter to Denise Nolte notifying that her filing fee check was received from the clerk but does not constitute acceptance. Check held for 7 days until March 10. Vetting must be completed or check returned. Copy of check enclosed.

March 3, 2026 letter to Sonya Brandt notifying that her filing fee check was received from the clerk but does not constitute acceptance. Check held for 7 days until March 10. Vetting must be completed or check returned. Copy of check enclosed.

March 3, 2026 update to SOS complaint. Filing fees were mailed only 36 minutes after the clerk received notice of the complaint — described as an “extreme coincidence.” Clerk later claimed she was at a doctor’s appointment with no email access. Late forwarding does not cure the violation of RsMO 115.357 and 115.637(12).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 2, 2026
The Osage County Republican Central Committee (OCRC) has filed a formal election complaint with the Missouri Secretary of State Elections Division against Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer for willful failure to promptly forward filing fees from Republican candidates to the OCRC Treasurer as required by RsMO 115.357.

No fees have been received as of March 2nd despite notice and multiple filings on February 24 and possibly thereafter. The complaint includes a detailed statement and exhibits. Full document available for download.

March 2, 2026 – Formal election complaint filed with Missouri Secretary of State Elections Division against Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer for willful failure to promptly forward filing fees from Republican candidates to the OCRC Treasurer as required by RsMO 115.357. Includes detailed statement of facts, timeline, and exhibits showing prior notice and non-compliance.

February 26, 2026 letter to Mary Ann Jacquin congratulating her on filing and providing the OCRC vetting informational sheet omitted by the County Clerk. Explains the two-part vetting process, filing fee requirements under RsMO 115.357, and that no fees have been forwarded by the clerk to date. Encourages completion of vetting by March 29 deadline.

February 26, 2026 letter to Carrie Muenks congratulating her on filing and providing the OCRC vetting informational sheet omitted by the County Clerk. Explains the two-part vetting process, filing fee requirements under RsMO 115.357, and that no fees have been forwarded by the clerk to date. Encourages completion of vetting by March 29 deadline.

February 26, 2026 letter sent certified mail to Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin notifying him that OCRC has rejected his 2026 Republican candidacy for Presiding Commissioner. The rejection is final due to failure to complete vetting, remit filing fee, and his history of antagonism toward the committee since December 2023, including public disparagement of the vetting process. References Missouri law and party authority to avoid unwanted associations.

Official February 26, 2026 letter from OCRC to Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer notifying her of the committee’s rejection of Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin’s 2026 Republican candidacy. The letter directs the clerk not to place Mr. Griffin on the ballot under the Republican label and requests prompt forwarding of any filing fee received. Cites RsMO 115.357 and the committee’s First Amendment rights. Certified copy sent; SOS cc’d.

February 26, 2026 – For Immediate Release: The Osage County Republican Central Committee (OCRC) has rejected Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin’s 2026 candidacy under the Republican label. The decision is final, based on failure to complete vetting, remit filing fee to the Treasurer, and reported plans to use taxpayer funds to challenge the committee. This is especially concerning with two tax-relief initiatives on the April ballot. Full press release text and related documents in the Library.

February 24, 2026 notes from clerk’s office. Clerk repeatedly stated “I’m just doing what I’m told” by Travis Elliott (Clerk’s Association lawyer) and a commissioner. When asked if the county would spend taxpayer dollars on legal fees for the commissioner, she shrugged. Confirmed only Valerie Prater had a committee receipt; no filing fees were forwarded.

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January 31, 2026 letter to State Representative Bruce Sassmann inviting him to participate in the 2026 vetting process (noted as optional for state offices) and mentioning the April 30 Lincoln Day Dinner speaking opportunity. Sassmann did not participate in vetting in 2024.

January 31, 2026 letter sent to Senator Ben Brown from Osage County. Thanks him for participating in 2024 vetting, invites him to complete the 2026 process (noted as optional for state offices), and mentions the April 30, 2026 Lincoln Day Dinner speaking opportunity for vetted candidates. Encloses current vetting instructions.

January 31, 2026 letter sent to all incumbent Republican county officials up for re-election explaining that the OCRC will again require vetting for the 2026 cycle. Includes key filing fee payment instructions (Square link or mail to Treasurer) and states that vetting is mandatory for any candidate to appear on the ballot as a Republican. This is the original notice referenced in all March 3, 2026 follow-up letters.

Letter from OCRC Chair Linda Rantz to Osage County Clerk dated January 14, 2026, notifying her that the committee will be vetting Republican candidates for 2026. The letter states that vetting will be online only and that an instruction sheet will be provided for candidate packets. No response was received from the clerk.

Official 2026 instructions from the Osage County Republican Central Committee for candidates seeking to file as Republicans. This document outlines the mandatory two-part vetting process (Part 1: OCRC Notification & Platform Alignment Review; Part 2: REPACCMO Questionnaire & Pledge), key deadlines (March 29 cutoff), receipt requirements, and payment instructions for partisan offices. Required for ballot placement under the Republican label. Download for full details.

Linda Rantz’s brief reply on December 12, 2025, thanking the clerk for the response regarding the number of vetting packets needed.

Osage County Clerk’s reply on December 12, 2025, estimating she will need about 10 vetting instruction sheets for candidate packets, with more if needed.

Linda Rantz’s reply on December 12, 2025, mentioning that the committee is preparing a handout for candidate packets and asking how many the clerk will need.

Osage County Clerk’s reply on December 12, 2025, asking where the vetting process will be advertised for candidates to view and complete.

Email from OCRC Chair Linda Rantz to Osage County Clerk on December 12, 2025, notifying her that the committee will be vetting Republican candidates for 2026. The email states that vetting will be online only and that an instruction sheet will be provided for candidate packets.

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Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer’s reply on June 11, 2025, thanking Linda and stating she will take her up on the offer to call with vetting questions by the end of the week.

Linda Rantz’s reply on June 11, 2025, informing the clerk that former Chair Mark Lieneke is unavailable and offering to answer vetting questions by phone. The Committee would later learn that Mark passed away on June 11th.

Osage County Clerk Brooke Dudenhoeffer’s reply on June 5, 2025, confirming that she is asking on behalf of herself as a potential 2026 candidate for County Clerk.

Linda Rantz’s reply on June 4, 2025, to the clerk’s inquiry about vetting. The reply asks whether the clerk is asking on behalf of herself as a potential 2026 candidate or in her official capacity as clerk, and copies former Chair Mark Lieneke for context.

Email from Osage County Clerk, Brooke Dudenhoeffer, to Linda Rantz on June 3, 2025, inquiring about the vetting process and Republican Party requirements for 2026. The clerk states she is “entertaining the idea of running for County Clerk in 2026” and wants to ensure all requirements are met. This is the first email in the chain that later confirms she is asking as a potential candidate.

May 17, 2024 Cole County Circuit Court judgment in Missouri Republican Committee v. Secretary of State and Darrell McClanahan III. The court denied the party’s late attempt to remove the candidate after accepting his fee, but included key language affirming that political parties may reject filing fees — and deny ballot access under the party label — for candidates who do not complete prescribed vetting. Excerpt: “…segments of the Missouri Republican party have already adopted a policy of rejecting filing fees from any candidate who has not completed a prescribed vetting process. The Plaintiff could have chosen to avoid potentially unwanted associations by rejecting filing fees…” Full PDF available.