JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Northwest Missouri candidate for state treasurer will have to fend off a challenger who could have spent a previous election behind bars.

Tuesday ended the period for filing with the Secretary of State’s office for the Aug. 5 primary elections in Missouri.

Sen. Brad Lager, R-Savannah, filed for state treasurer last month after Treasurer Sarah Steelman put in a bid for the governor’s race. He said he’d pull out of the race if she changed her mind by the end of filing, but she remained in contention for the top office at 5 p.m.

That means Mr. Lager’s still in, too, but so is a Springfield man.

Mr. Lager knew little about his opponent, Darrel D. Day, who filed as a Republican for the office Tuesday afternoon, but said he financially and mentally prepared himself for a challenger. No other Republicans are running for the position.

“This is an open race. I expected a primary from the very beginning,” Mr. Lager said.

Efforts to contact Mr. Day were unsuccessful, but a Darrel D. Day, of Springfield, previously ran as a Democrat against U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan in the 2002 primary. Ms. Carnahan defeated him in the primary, which Mr. Day spent in the Greene County Jail after violating terms of his probation from a felony stealing conviction, the Associated Press reported that year. He also was to undergo a mental health screening later that August.

Four Democrats also are vying for the post — Arnold Mayor Mark Powell; Rep. Clint Zweifel, of Florissant; Andria Simckes, of St. Louis; and Charles Wheeler, of Kansas City.

Rep. Mike Thomson, a Maryville Republican who won Mr. Lager’s seat after he left the House of Representatives two years ago, might experience déjà vu this year.

Democrat Richard Oswald, a Langdon, Mo., farmer, lost to Rep. Thomson in the 2006 election for the 4th House District seat, but he’s trying again. Mr. Oswald filed last week to run against Mr. Thomson. Mr. Oswald served nearly 10 years on the Rock Port School Board, six as president.

The last day of filing attracted St. Joseph Democrat Mark Sheehan to the 28th House District. Mr. Sheehan, former Opinion Page editor of the News-Press, is challenging Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, for his seat. Dr. Schaaf is seeking re-election to his fourth term.

A Kansas City woman also filed Tuesday in an otherwise unopposed election for the 30th House District. Mary Anne Baier, a Democrat, is challenging Rep. Jason Brown, R-Platte City, who’s been in office since 2002.

Lineups of other local races haven’t changed since the first day of filing. Despite interest, Rep. Jim Whorton, D-Trenton, didn’t file for lieutenant governor because of a lack of grass-roots support, he told the News-Press. Since he’s served the maximum number of terms in the House, his 3rd House District seat is open.

Vying for his spot are Republican Casey Guernsey, of Bethany, and Democrat Mike Hepler, of Browning.

The 7th House District, currently held by Rep. John Quinn, R-Chillicothe, also is up for grabs because of term limits. Republicans Mike Lair and Dale Wallace and Democrat Harry Wyse, all of Chillicothe, have filed for the office.

Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, will see a familiar face in the race for the 5th House District. Democrat Mike Waltemath, of King City, filed for the fourth time for the seat.

Two races are unopposed. Reps. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, in the 27th District, and Martin Rucker, D-St. Joseph, in the 29th District, had no challengers.

No local Senate seats are available this election.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.