By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – Voters in St. Charles County will choose a new county executive on Tuesday.
Incumbent Republican Joe Ortwerth is stepping down after 12 years on the job to devote himself full-time to his church.
Two men are running to be his successor: Democrat Jim Rutherford and Republican Steve Ehlmann.
Ehlmann is a former judge and state legislator, and serves as the county's director of administration.
Ehlmann said road improvement is a big issue for St. Charles County, and so is improving the image of county government.
"In the last year or so, we've had a problem in the county with the level of debate and the lack of civility in the political debate out here," Ehlmann said." If it gets to the point where its so negative and so personal, you're not going to want to have good people even be involved."
Democrat Jim Rutherford is new to politics, and works for a building restoration company.
His campaign budget pales in comparison to his opponent's, but Rutherford said he's running a grassroots campaign.
"I accepted no donations from anyone, because I don't want to have to feel beholden [to] or owe anyone but the citizens of St. Charles County," Rutherford said..
Rutherford said the biggest issue for the county is smartly managing its rapid growth.
There's also an executive race in St. Louis County. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Dooley faces challenges from Republican Joe Passanise and Libertarian Ted Brown.