Springfieldians file for House candidacy

John Black

Ryan Cantrell

Raymond Lampert

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Three Springfieldians have filed to run for the District 137 state representative seat covering portions of Webster and Greene counties.

According to Missouri Ethics Commission records, John Black and Ryan Cantrell, both Republicans, and Raymond Lampert, a Democrat, will vie for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Lyndall Fraker, a Republican who is terming out.

The primary election is scheduled Aug. 7, followed by the general election on Nov. 6. All 163 House seats are up for election in 2018, according to political online encyclopedia Ballotpedia. On average, each Missouri House member represents 36,742 residents.

According to a news release announcing his candidacy, Black retired Feb. 2 after 11 years as City Utilities of Springfield’s general counsel. Prior, he was the first in-house general counsel for Missouri State University.

“I would hope to continue the past 20-plus years of public service by succeeding Rep. Faker in this important post,” Black said in the release. “My service with City Utilities, and prior to that, Missouri State University, has brought home the importance of investing the time, effort and abilities one needs to address the issues facing our state.”

Lampert is owner and attorney at Lampert Law Office LLC, where his practice includes employment discrimination and wrongful termination, as well as estate planning. Lampert said this morning it is his first time running for a political seat, although he has served on the Greene County Democratic Central Committee for more than a year.

“I’ve seen seeing how things are going at the state and federal level and decided I didn’t like sitting by and seeing workers’ protection, our education system and the elderly and health care systems get taken away by those in power,” he said. “So I thought, you know, I better try and get up there and see what I can do to help the people.”

Cantrell is the owner of Cantrell’s Patriot Homes Inc., according to Springfield Business Journal archives. He could not be reached for comment by deadline.

Kansas City-based Axiom Strategies LLC is the consultant for Black’s campaign, according to the release. According to MEC filings, Cantrell’s treasurer is Tom Fowler III, senior vice president and loan officer at State Bank of Southwest Missouri. Lampert is serving as his own treasurer.