PIKE COUNTY CLERK CANDIDATES DESPAIN AND GREGER OUTLINE EXPERIENCE AND PLANS AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 3 ELECTION

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Two candidates with different professional backgrounds are asking Pike County voters to entrust them with the clerk and recorder’s office in the November 3 general election. Democrat Brenda DeSpain and Republican Ashley Greger are seeking a position with responsibility for elections, public documents and important county financial procedures.

The office is currently held by Natalie Roseberry, who withdrew from the election earlier this year, citing law school commitments. The contest follows a period of questions about the county’s bookkeeping and payment processes, making administrative experience and accountability prominent issues for both candidates.

DeSpain has lived in the Perry area for more than six decades. She retired in 2023 after serving as office manager for the Pike County Highway Department and now works part-time as a legal assistant. She also serves as treasurer for two drainage districts.

DeSpain says she would focus on improving payroll accuracy, addressing problems affecting county financial reporting, making older public records available digitally, and attending county board meetings to maintain communication between the clerk’s office and county officials. She has stressed cooperation across political lines and has used the phrase “Vote Pike, not party” to describe her approach.

Greger has lived in Pittsfield for about 25 years. She works as a consultant connected with Hannibal Regional Hospital, where she previously managed a drug-pricing program. Her professional experience includes payroll, information technology, accounting, auditing and administrative responsibilities.

Greger identifies financial transparency, improved internal processes, secure digitization of permanent records and election security among her priorities. She also says she wants stronger coordination between the clerk’s office and county treasurer to reduce discrepancies and make financial reporting more dependable.

The county clerk is an elected office whose work touches many ordinary residents. It oversees election administration, maintains vital records and minutes of county board meetings, and handles payroll and the processing of county payments. Changes in those procedures can affect county employees, vendors and the public’s ability to review government decisions.

Both candidates have said the county must address continuing payroll and reporting concerns. Those statements are campaign positions and are not proof that either candidate’s proposals have been implemented or would resolve every issue.

Residents will decide the office on Tuesday, November 3. RiverNewsLive and WBBA-FM do not endorse either candidate. Readers are encouraged to review official election materials and the candidates’ stated positions.