Challenger Lori Rook has defeated incumbent State Senator Curtis Trent in Tuesday’s GOP primary for the 20th Senate District, encompassing Greene County outside Springfield, as well as Barton, Dade and Webster Counties.
What We Know: With 99% of the vote counted, Rook held a 53-47% lead, amounting to just under 2,000 votes.
The War of Words: The race became a fiercely contested primary, with attack ads on both sides. Trent was seeking his second and final four-year term representing the 20th District.
Rook has not served in elected office, but placed 3rd in a crowded GOP primary for State Treasurer in 2024. She’s an attorney, and the sole owner and managing partner of Ozarks Elder Law.
Rook moves on to face Democrat Sen Falconer in November.
Contested State Rep Seats: In the race for the 139th House District GOP primary, incumbent Bob Titus defeated Sandy Karnes from Nixa 54 to 46%. The district covers the Nixa, Clever, and Billings areas. In the 140th District GOP primary, Jamie Ray Gragg, the incumbent, defeated Angela Romine 63 to 37%. And in House District 129, which includes the Marshfield area and Webster County, Attorney Will Worsham has won over Levi Lansdown and Stan Coday, picking up more than 45% of the vote.
(photo courtesy of LoriRook.com)