Three Republican candidates are running for the position of county clerk, including incumbent Jera Pruitt. Russ “Wojo” Wojtkiewicz and Mary Calvillo are competing with Pruitt in the primary. The Aug. 4 winner will move on to face Democrat Hans Peter in the November general election.
JERA PRUITT
Pruitt, 39, is from Parkville. Married, she has two young children and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration.
“As the current clerk, I have dutifully learned not only the statutory rolls, but how each task and process impacts the county as a whole,” Pruitt said. “Almost nothing related to the tax cycle begins or ends in the clerk’s office. We’re tasked with administrative steps and reports that are part of the countywide annual taxing cycle and are required for balancing the tax assessment and collection processes. The clerk’s role requires collaboration and relationships with many other county offices and I’m proud to say we have successfully built lasting relationships with all the offices we work with. My focus has always been on ensuring the clerk’s office operates efficiently, professionally, and in full compliance with Missouri law while remaining accessible and responsive to every resident.”
Pruitt said she is seeking re-election to continue building on the progress the office has made over the past four years.
“I believe the clerk’s office should be a trusted, professional resource and we will continue with that work,” she said. “We’ve successfully implemented the Senior Tax Credit Program as well as creating a taxpayer friendly process for appealing property assessed valuations. I want to continue serving our community by ensuring the office remains transparent, accountable, and prepared to meet the county’s future needs.”
She says experience matters in an office where accuracy, integrity, and attention to detail are essential.
“I have a proven record of leading public organizations, managing complex responsibilities, and serving our community with professionalism and accountability,” she said. “I understand the legal responsibilities of the Clerk’s Office and have demonstrated the ability to maintain public records, responsibly manage taxpayer resources, as well as implement new programs and processes. I believe leadership means listening, communicating openly, and continually looking for ways to improve services for the citizens we serve.”
She said as the county continues to grow, it brings both opportunities and challenges. Population growth increases demand for countywide services as well as legislative changes creating new tax credit programs. The county needs experienced leadership to accurately assess and recognize the complexity while finding internal systems to new changes.
If re-elected, she said her approach is to focus on protecting the core responsibilities of the office while collaborating with other elected officials on how to effectively implement and manage new programs. Any program impacting the annual county tax cycle will require many offices to work together to have an accurate result at the end. Above all, I will remain committed to providing professional, dependable service that earns the trust of Platte County citizens.
RUSSELL WOJTKIEWICZ
Wojtkiewicz, 67, grew up in Lockwood, Mo., and has lived in Parkville since the 1980s. Widowed, he has one adult child. He was the owner of a media technologies firm, involving the design and installation of custom video and data systems and event production as well as custom website creation and setting up e-commerce facilities. He also has spent decades volunteering with the Knights of Columbus and is locally politically active.
Wojtkiewicz said that leading a Knights of Columbus council and chairing several of their charity events, owning and operating my own business for 30 years and his involvement in Platte County politics for the past 20 years qualify him for the position.
“We need change in the courthouse culture,” Wojtkiewicz said. The drama, the power grabs, the incompetence has reached and embarrassing level. We need more transparency and access to public records. We need the laws and statutes properly abided by. We need to make county government more efficient and less costly. Lower budgets if possible and reduce taxes.”
He said his life-long experiences in figuring out solutions to problems, leading a staff of contractors or herding a large group of volunteers lend him an advantage.
“I have many years of actual leadership, unlike my opponents who claim supervisory roles but didn’t actually lead or supervise,” Wojtkiewicz said.
Affordability is the main problem facing the county today, he said. High property taxes and high cost of living are real problems for everyone, especially fixed income seniors. The public schools keep asking and getting more money and turning out less educated students. Proficiencies and graduation rates have been declining but cost per student keeps rising. County records management is not transparent. The public needs better access to public records.
If elected, he said he would evaluate staffing levels and personnel, then look to upgrade the clerk’s social media and website so that the general public can access information owed to them, apply and process licenses and permits on line and if able, extend hours and days beneficial to the working public. He said he would provide improved customer service and use current and future technology to aid our taxpayers and make all we can easier for the taxpayer.
MARY CALVILLO
Calvillo, 66, is from Kansas City. Married with no children, she holds a bachelor’s degree in personnel management and international marketing. She has decades of professional experience in office management, executive assistance, supervisory leadership, and customer service.
“I’ve spent 45 years building processes that get results for the people I serve,” Calvillo said. “That’s exactly what the clerk’s office needs — a leader who ensures every taxpayer leaves having gotten their questions answered, their problems solved, and having felt like they mattered. That’s not a slogan for me; it’s what I’ve learned throughout my career and life. It’s not about me — it’s about the taxpayer.
“I’ve had my share of exciting and rewarding careers — years in corporate careers where I felt important; as a flight attendant having fun. Now it’s time to put that experience to work for someone else. I want to give back to the people of Platte County as a hard worker who protects their best interests, not just my own. We all reach a point in our lives where we realize, there’s more to this and I have more to give.”
Calvillo said she brings a genuine passion for smooth, functional government, a strong work ethic, and a deep commitment to giving back to the community. Voters will get a dedicated public servant who takes pride in a good day’s work.
“Platte County needs its elected officials to truly collaborate,” she said. “Every official — regardless of office or party — works for the same taxpayer. When we lose sight of that common purpose, taxpayers lose. Restoring real cooperation among our county’s elected leaders is essential to protecting residents’ interests now and in the years ahead.”
If elected, she said she would fiercely protect taxpayer interests — full stop.
“Being a frustrated taxpayer myself is one of my motivations to run for office; watching county government from the outside and not liking what I saw,” she said. “I had a choice: stay frustrated, or step in and help. I chose to step in. That’s who I am, and that’s the clerk Platte County will get with me.”