Voters in Boonville, Brunswick to Select New Mayors on Tuesday

Several other area cities also have contested mayoral and city council races on the ballot.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:39pm

A photorealistic painting of a lone ballot box or voting booth in a dimly lit room, with warm sunlight streaming in through a window and casting deep shadows, conveying the contemplative and civic-minded atmosphere of a local election.Local elections for mayor and city council shape the future direction of communities, as voters in Boonville, Brunswick, and other area cities head to the polls.Boonville Today

Voters in the Missouri cities of Boonville and Brunswick will select new mayors in municipal elections on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Boonville's current mayor is retiring, leading to a three-way race, while Brunswick's mayor is also stepping down. Several other area cities, including Sedalia and Fayette, have contested mayoral races as well, along with city council contests.

Why it matters

Local elections for mayor and city council are crucial for determining the leadership and policy direction of communities. The outcomes in these races can have significant impacts on issues like economic development, public services, infrastructure, and more. The high number of contested races across the region suggests an engaged electorate and active civic participation.

The details

In Boonville, three candidates are vying to replace retiring mayor Ned Beach: Tanner Lee Bechtel, Morris Carter, and Mike Conway. Boonville also has a contested race for the Ward One city council seat. In Brunswick, Tom Burkhart and Stephen J Whipple Jr. are competing to succeed outgoing mayor Diane Rice, while four candidates are running for two city council seats. Mayors in Sedalia and Fayette are also facing challengers, and several other cities in the region have contested mayoral and council races on the ballot.

  • The municipal elections will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

The players

Ned Beach

The current mayor of Boonville who is retiring.

Tanner Lee Bechtel

One of three candidates running to succeed Ned Beach as mayor of Boonville.

Morris Carter

One of three candidates running to succeed Ned Beach as mayor of Boonville.

Mike Conway

One of three candidates running to succeed Ned Beach as mayor of Boonville.

Diane Rice

The current mayor of Brunswick who is stepping down.

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What’s next

The results of the municipal elections on April 7 will determine the new mayors and city council members in Boonville, Brunswick, and several other area cities.

The takeaway

These local elections showcase the active civic engagement and contested races taking place across the region, as voters have the opportunity to shape the future leadership and priorities of their communities.