Baeza Receives Support in his Bid for State Rep

A fund-raiser was held Monday for Pettis County Eastern Commissioner Israel Baeza, who is currently running for Missouri state representative from District 52.

The event was held at the home of Tim and Mariyka Kondratyuk, 18475 Deer Trail.

“He’s done an excellent job as county commissioner. I’m proud to know him as a friend. But, he’s going to make an excellent state representative,” Kondratyuk told a crowd of around 50 people. “He’s one that likes to listen to voters, the people he represents.”

In his speech, Baeza pledged his support for Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.  He also thanked the Kondratyuks for hosting the event and for locating their business, US Quality Construction, in Pettis County.

“They could have gone anywhere else in the state, because they serve the while state, but they decided to be here in Pettis County, so I want to thank them,” Baeza said.

He also thanked his wife Pearla. “She truly is my rock … I’m glad that I found my special person,” he noted.

Baeza explained that his decisions are based on his faith, and the fact that he has always been service oriented when it comes to public service. “I always enjoy serving people. So when there’s an opportunity to make an impact, at that greater level, I couldn’t pass it up,” he said.

Baeza came to the US from Mexico when he was six and his parents were Baptist missionaries.

Also attending the fund-raiser were candidate Matt Sergent, Presiding Commissioner Bill Taylor, State Rep. Brad Pollitt as well as Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.

Republican Matt Sergent faces Democrat Michael D. Walbom in the general election. Both reside in Knob Noster and both are hoping to represent District 57.

Republican Brad Pollitt is running for election to the Missouri State Senate to represent District 28. He is on the ballot to replace term-limited Senator Sandy Crawford. Pollitt faces Sam Alexander and Chuck Lentz, both of Bolivar, in the primary. The winner will face Democrat Mike McCaffree of Nevada in the general.

Hoskins’ term ends on January 8, 2029.

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Baeza is running as a Republican in the Aug. 4 primary to replace State Rep. Pollitt, whose current term ends January 6, 2027. Baeza faces Philip Sherman in the primary. The winner will face Democrat Rene Vance in the general election.

“We’re running to win. We’re blessed to have a lot of great support throughout the community,” Baeza said.

He went on to mention the unborn. “They have nobody to protect them, unless we’re stepping up as a generation … there’s still a lot of work to do. We need to protect our freedoms, we need to protect our Constitution,” Baeza stated.

Absentee voting is already under way. Keep in mind the last day to register is July 8. On July 21, no excuse voting begins. And you can vote in person on Saturday Aug. 1 from 9 to 1 in downtown Sedalia at 215 E. 5th.