Second candidate throws hat in Branson mayor's ring

Days in advance of the official filing period, a second businessperson  announced candidacy for mayor of Branson.

Karen Best, a tri-lakes real estate agent and Branson’s planning and zoning commissioner, said yesterday she launched her campaign a few days apart from incumbent Raeanne Presley’s announcement she’d run for a fifth term.

Official filing for the April 7 election begins Dec. 16.

Best said she plans to campaign on Branson’s need to diversify from the tourism-heavy economy.

“We need to create jobs that will allow our citizens to work from January through December for their economic future,” Best said in a news release. “Government needs to work together with the private sector to foster a climate to create these opportunities.”

In Presley’s announcement, she emphasized Branson’s strength as a tourism destination and her intent to build upon it. According to the city’s monthly tourism tax report, tourism sales are up 4.5 percent through November.

Best has worked 20 years in education as a teacher and principal and three years in special events and publicity for MGM Studios in Los Angeles, as well as stints in hotel management and retail, according to the release. A real estate agent for eight years and organizer of The Best Team at Keller Williams Tri-Lakes, she negotiated the sale of the Grand Palace earlier this year.

Best picked attorney Timothy Davis as campaign treasurer and Michele Dean as deputy treasurer.