EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Four candidates seek the 8th House District seat in the Republican primary Aug. 4.

The candidates are Reece Nichols agent Gary Stroud, 58, Lawson; farmer and Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Director Randy Railsback, 63, Hamilton; Clinton County Clerk David Woods, 28, Lathrop; and Cameron Mayor Darlene Breckend ridge, 63.

The seat is available because Rep. Jim Neely, a Republican candidate for governor, is term-limited out of the House seat.

The winner of the primary is a shoo-in to win in November, as there is no Democrat in the race and mail-in candidates are unlikely to win a House seat. The district covers parts of Ray and Clay counties, and all of sparsely populated Clinton and Caldwell counties.

QUESTION: If COVID-19 continues, should online learning substitute for inclassroom learning?

Stroud: “Most kids and teachers can be protected enough that they would make it fine (without online instruction). I don’t think there’s a real risk – no more of a risk for …