Eslinger wins Republican nomination for Missouri 33rd Senate District


Karla Eslinger

Wasola resident Karla Eslinger has won the Republican primary election in a close race for the Missouri 33rd Senate District seat. Eslinger garnered 12,701 votes (37.12 percent) in the eight-county district, overcoming a close challenge by Robert Ross, with 12,559 votes (36.70 percent) – a 142-vote difference. The third Republican candidate, Van Kelly, got 26.18 votes (26.18 percent).

Ozark Countians cast these votes in the 33rd Senate District race: Eslinger 2,010; Ross 567; and Kelly 357.  

Eslinger was elected to the Missouri 155th House District seat in 2018, overcoming challengers Mike Lind of Thornfield and Taney County resident Jack Clemans. Rather than standing for re-election to the House seat, she chose to run in the 33rd Senate District race after current Senator Mike Cunningham term-limited out. 

Eslinger will face Democratic candidate Tammy Harty in the November general election. Harty ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket.

The 33rd Senate District comprises Ozark, Texas, Wright, Webster, Douglas, Howell, Oregon and Ripley counties.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423