PIKE COUNTY CLERK RACE SPARKS REPUBLICAN DIVISIONS AS CANDIDATES FACE QUESTIONS OVER EXPERIENCE AND COUNTY FINANCES

PITTSFIELD, IL — The race for Pike County Clerk has become a point of disagreement within local Republican leadership after County Board Chairman Reta Hoskin publicly defended her support for Democratic candidate Brenda DeSpain rather than Republican nominee Ashley Greger.

The controversy followed the October 7 special County Board meeting, where Griggsville resident Christine Hinthorn challenged Hoskin during public comments over her position at a Republican Central Committee meeting. Hoskin subsequently explained her actions in a statement on her campaign Facebook page.

HOSKIN EXPLAINS HER POSITION

Hoskin acknowledged urging Republican committee members not to fill the party’s ballot vacancy after incumbent Clerk Natalie Roseberry withdrew from the election. She said she had already promised to support DeSpain, whom she encouraged to run, and believed DeSpain’s county government experience was particularly relevant to ongoing financial problems.

Hoskin said she abstained during the Republican nomination vote. She explained that she did not address the criticism during the County Board meeting because she considered partisan politics inappropriate for that government proceeding.

Hoskin also questioned the vetting of the three replacement candidates and raised concerns about Greger’s past voting participation. Those assertions reflect Hoskin’s account; the underlying voter records have not been independently verified for this report. Not participating in past elections does not, by itself, establish ineligibility for office.

REPUBLICANS CITE GREGER’S TECHNOLOGY BACKGROUND

The Republican Central Committee selected Ashley Greger to run for county clerk. Republican committee chairman Andy Borrowman has pointed to Greger’s familiarity with information technology as a qualification. Greger works in administration at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

The clerk’s responsibilities include election administration, county payroll, accounts payable, tax-related records and County Board minutes. Technology and administrative skills are therefore relevant to the position, although the candidates’ specific plans for the office warrant scrutiny.

DESPAIN’S GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE

DeSpain has previously worked in Pike County government, including the Highway Department and information technology coordination. Hoskin cites her payroll, audit and meeting-clerk experience as reasons for supporting her. Hoskin has confirmed contributing to DeSpain’s campaign and helping distribute campaign signs.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCOUNTING METHODS

Questions have also circulated about statements attributed to DeSpain concerning manual accounting and her familiarity with the county’s financial software. RiverNewsLive has not independently obtained the original Facebook posts or their full context, so it cannot establish whether those statements conflict or what accounting approach DeSpain proposes.

Manual verification of financial records can complement computerized accounting, but voters may reasonably seek details from both candidates about payroll systems, audits, internal controls and the software they would use.

COUNTY FINANCES REMAIN A CENTRAL ISSUE

The dispute comes as Pike County officials confront overdue audits and disagreements over spending, budgets and accounting controls. The county clerk’s office processes payroll and accounts payable, making the office an important part of the county’s financial administration.

Hoskin argues that DeSpain’s prior county experience would help address those challenges. Republican leaders have emphasized Greger’s technology background and selected her to give voters a Republican choice on the November ballot. Neither position settles how the candidates would perform in office.

The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Voters will decide who succeeds Roseberry as Pike County Clerk.