Parson calls special election for Fitzpatrick’s House seat

Gov. Mike Parson called for a special election this fall that includes a vote on Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick’s vacant Missouri House of Representatives seat.

During the Nov. 5 special election, voters will decide who will take on Fitzpatrick’s role representing District 158, which comprises Barry and portions of Stone and Lawrence counties. A vote also will be held on the successor for Rep. Jean Evans, R-St. Louis County, who recently was named executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, according to a news release.

“It’s important that we work quickly to fill vacancies in the people’s House to ensure that Missourians have representation here in Jefferson City,” Parson said in the release. “We appreciate the dedication and hard work of our local election authorities, especially when preparing for and conducting a special election.”

Parson appointed Fitzpatrick as the state’s treasurer in December 2018. He was first elected to the House at age 25 in 2012. He's also the owner and founder of Shell Knob-based MariCorps U.S. LLC, which is being led on a day-to-day basis by President Kyle Wilkerson in Fitzpatrick’s stead, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Candidates for Fitzpatrick’s vacant seat must be “selected and filed” by May 13, according to the writ of election signed by Parson and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.