The Aug. 5 primary election is just around the corner, and candidates in statewide and county races are lined up and ready to seek your vote.

Several county races are contested. August's election narrows the field to one candidate in each party represented.

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For Vernon County Sheriff, incumbent Ron Peckman, D- Richards, will be facing Lonne Rowland, D-Nevada. Jeffrey L. Prater, R-Bronaugh is seeking an uncontested slot on the Republican ticket for sheriff.

For Northern Commission-er, incumbent Neal Gerster, Walker; Chris Hendren, Nevada; and Bill Handly, Richards, are seeking the Democratic slot. David Souza is the lone Republican running for this office.

For Southern Commission-er, David Shaw, Bronaugh, and Paul E. Sprenkle, Sheldon, are running as Democrats; Kennon Shaw, Bronaugh, and Ron Sloan, Nevada, are running as Republicans.

Democrat Sally Jones, Nevada, is challenging incumbent and fellow Democrat Cherie Kay Roberts for the county assessor's seat.

David Ferry is the lone Democrat for county coroner, while Jason Claspill is seeking the seat on the Republican ticket.

Four Democrats are seeking election to the office of Public Administrator. They are Judy Stark, Nevada; Arch Forkner, Nevada; Kevin D. Williams, Milo; and Tammy R. Bond, Nevada. The seat is being vacated by Virginia Habjan, who is retiring at the end of her term.

Phil Couch, D-Moundville, is running uncontested for the office of collector/treasurer, which he currently holds.

Several candidates also have filed for many of the state offices up for election.

For the 31st District seat in the Missouri Senate, Republicans Rex Rector, Harrisonville, and David Pearce, Warrensburg will appear on the ballot.

Democrat Chris Benjamin, Freeman, also is seeking the Senate seat.

Candidates for the District 125 seat in the Missouri House of Representatives are Barney Fisher, R-Richards; and Carla K. Keogh, D-Butler.

This year's governor's race is comprised of four Republicans, Scott Long, Mountain View; Sarah Steelman, Rolla; Kenny Hulshof, Columbia and Jennie Lee Schwartze Sievers of Jackson; and two Democrats, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, Jefferson City; and Daniel Carroll, Shelbina. Libertarian candidate Andrew W. Finkenstadt rounds out the list.

The race for State Treasurer includes one Republican, Brad Lager of Savannah; and four Democrats: Mark Powell, Arnold; Clint Zwiefel, Florissant; Andia Danine Smickes, St. Louis; and Charles B. Wheeler, Kansas City.

The race for Lieutenant Governor includes three Republicans: Peter Kinder, Cape Girardeau; Paul Douglas Sims, Lecoma; and Arthur Hodge Sr., Springfield. Democrats vying for the seat are Sam Page, Creve Coeur; Michael E. Carter, St. Charles, Richard Charles Tolbert, Kansas City; Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass; Mary Williams, Jefferson City; and C. Lillian Metzger, Troy. Libertarian Teddy Fleck, Springfield, also is seeking the seat.

Lone Republican Mike Gibbons is seeking election to the Missouri Attorney General's offices, while four Democrats, Chris Koster, Jefferson City; Margaret Donnelly, St. Louis; Jeff Harris, Columbia; and Molly Williams, Kansas City, are seeking election to that seat.

Candidates for Missouri Secretary of State are Mitch Hubbard, R-Fulton; incumbent Robin Carnahan, D-St. Louis; and Wes Upchurch, L-Columbia.

Three Republicans have filed for the District 4 seat in the U.S. Congress, and are seeking the right to challenge Democrat Ike Skelton, Harrisonville, in the November election. They are Stanley Plough Jr., Clinton; Joseph Terrazas, Sedalial and Jeff Parnell, Rogersville.