Two candidates are running in the Aug. 4 Republican primary for Platte County recorder of deeds – incumbent Christopher Wright and challenger Nicholas Palmer. The winner will face no Democratic challenger in November.
CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
Wright, 44, is originally from Bakersfield, Calif. Married, he has a teenage son. He holds two bachelor’s degrees.
Wright said he doesn’t have a generic list of qualifications and placating words that sound warm and fluffy to convince residents to vote for him.
“I have a track record of proven fiscal responsibility, initiating deed fraud efforts to protect your most valuable asset, and advocating for citizens in the form of fair tax assessments, lower taxes, education and awareness on human trafficking awareness since my office issues marriage licenses, so understanding and having training in regards to coerced and manipulated marriages along with immigration marriage fraud is beneficial to my staff and to the public as a whole,” he said. “I was the first in Missouri to require an ID for walk in quit claim deeds, setting a standard we never had before to mitigate deed fraud. By using copy and subscription fees to maintain my office I require very little general revenue funding to operate. By initiating same day recordings, I save taxpayers nearly $12,000 a year in postage and have reduced delays for constituents receiving their original documents back in hand. I purchased nearly $90,000 in adequate and appropriate shelving to protect our deed books from years of neglect that was destroying the bindings and documents. This money came from recorder’s fees, costing taxpayers zero fiscal impact to general revenue funds. I have served on community boards and commissions and have been a leader in our community, giving back time and monetary donations to make our county a better place to live. I love Platte County and serving this community.”
Wright said he has working relationships with local mayors, county elected officials, and state elected officials. Having established relationships and a network of people to work with makes it easier to get things done and navigate government bureaucracy.
“My staff, supporters, and party asked me to seek another term because of the 30 percent pay raise back in November of ‘25, which I am proud to have voted no for,” he said. “Because Collector Palmer motioned for the raise and then recruited her son to run for recorder of deeds; this did not settle well with many people or party leaders because it’s nepotism and corruption at its finest. I do not believe in career politicians who sit in government for decades so if I win re-election this will be my last term in office.”
Wright said he is the best choice for the office because he thinks outside of the box and does not take no for an answer.
“Elected officials often fall flat because they rely too heavily on a single vendor and fail to practice problem-solving skills to create solutions,” he said. “For example, when I first took office, I was told there was nothing I could do about deed fraud. I didn’t accept that and now Platte County has some of the most modern protection models, setting standards across our entire nation. I have testified before state legislatures and other elected officials about our operations in Platte County. I have reduced my reliance on general revenue funds and now operate mainly from recorder user and technology fees, which costs the taxpayers almost nothing to run my office with the exception of salaries and benefits. I have created an efficient, effective, and transparent office with fewer staff, better accuracy and quicker turn around times for walk in recordings.”
Wright said he believes the county as a whole lacks transparency and elected officials and department heads need to communicate better with constituents.
He says he has addressed many concerns during his term in office, through the policies and procedures he implemented since first elected three years ago. He added that his office responds to email requests within 20 minutes to facilitate efficient turnaround times for taxpayers requesting documents.
NICHOLAS PALMER
Palmer, 32, is from Platte City. Married, he has two young children. He holds a business degree and has worked as a deputized recorder.
Palmer said he has nearly 1,500 hours of experience in the Platte County recorder’s office as a deputy. He considers himself an organized and fiscal conservative.
“The current recorder stated that he would be running for commission and with my history in the office, knew I would be the best candidate for the position,” Palmer said. “The role would make for a great opportunity to serve my community.”
He said he was trained by former recorder Gloria Boyer.
“I carry not only her endorsement but was taught on the work ethic needed for the office to ensure quality and professional service for the citizens and how to represent the county with integrity that the office deserves,” he said.
Palmer is critical of Wright’s performance in office.
“The current recorder has severed ties with the state recorders association (RAM) which is responsible for continued education and updating county offices on newly passed laws and statues,” Palmer said. “The current recorder has promoted deed freezing practices with known additional cost that will be needed for property owners and unknown long-term impacts with the potential for legal ramifications. Statements have also been made for hefty long-term contracts with AI based technology to implement blockchain technology.”
If elected, Palmer said he would re-establish the relationship with RAM.
“I have already reached out to introduce myself to the organization president and expressed my intentions to put Platte County back in good standing with the association,” he said.
He would also work to educate the public on the existing and free deed protection practices already available for property owners with the county’s established vendor software provider, determine the legal impact and contract terms of blockchain implementation and evaluate if off site storage will be required in data centers for county recorded deeds.