For the second time, Democratic candidate David Park has been defeated by a Republican commission candidate.
Former assistant prosecuting attorney Joe Vanover won the seat as second district commissioner, replacing John Elliott, who did not seek re-election. Vanover received 55 percent of the total, with 15,541 votes to Park’s 44 percent, 12,560.
Vanover, who did very little campaigning for the commission seat, works as an attorney. Married with two children, his campaign Facebook page stated he wanted to “make sure Platte County stays a wonderful place to build a life and raise a family.”
On that page Tuesday night, Vanover stated, “It’s my nature to look for ways to help others. I’m happy to have the opportunity to serve as a county commissioner in addition to helping my clients in my law practice.”
In 2018, Park ran against incumbent presiding commissioner Ron Schieber.
First district commissioner Dagmar Wood, Republican, was unopposed and received 21,354 votes.