Jefferson City News

Kirt Kleindienst is seeking the Republican nomination to represent the Eastern District for a four-year term. The primary election will be held on August 6.

Per BallotReady.org, Kleindienst is running for election in the GOP primary against Kenny Albert, Curt Warfield, and Suzanna Wolfe.

Kleindienst, a 30-year Calloway County resident, graduated from North Calloway High School in 2003 before going on to play college baseball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Eastern Kentucky University. 

"I coached and grew a baseball organization called the Callaway Crew for 8 years, and am now the Head Coach for North Callaway High School baseball team," he said in a Facebook post. "I also provide baseball and basketball lessons for local youth and I am proud of the work I have done for ALL of the student athletes within the county. I have trained kids from all 4 public schools within our county and many of them are the counties top athletes."

Kleindienst said has been a drummer since age 7, when he began playing in a family band called The Country Rangers. He currently owns 54 Country, a dance hall and music venue in Kingdom City, and he served as Entertainment Chair on the Fulton Street Fair Board for six years according to his post.

In that post, Kleindienst, a father of four boys, explains why he is running for a seat on the Calloway County Commission: "I care about people, I especially care about the future of our community and Callaway County. I want to see Callaway County thrive as we move into the next generation. I am asking for your vote, to be part of the next generation of Conservative Leadership."

In a press release, R.E.D. PAC — a political action committee focused on rural economic development — endorsed Kleindienst as a candidate who has "demonstrated unwavering dedication to the principles that foster economic stability, enhance transparency in government, and protect private property rights from excessive regulation" and as an advocate "for sensible solutions to local and national challenges, emphasizing the importance of strong community leadership in achieving long-term success." 

R.E.D. PAC Chief Strategist Charlie Kolean also endorsed Kleindienst, saying he was a person who would "stand firm on issues critical to our freedoms and economic wellbeing."

According to the Calloway County Commission's website, commissioners' responsibilities include establishing policies and procedures, enacting ordinances, supervising County departments' activities, and adopting Calloway County's budget. The Commission comprises three members who are elected to four-year terms.