RICHMOND – If voters agree, they could select the first woman in history to serve as a county commissioner. Or not. Independent Merry Marler, 65, Lawson, is running for the Ray County Western Commission District seat against Republican Gary Wilhite, 71, Excelsior Springs, a former presiding commissioner. Each candidate received the same questions with directions to start their answers with “yes” or “no,” or an “X” if choosing not to answer firmly. Each candidate had 30-word answer limits. Questions and responses follow... BACKGROUND Marler: “I have 20 years of experience working with local government. I was employed with city of Lawson for 13 years and one year at Rayville. ... I worked in the County Clerk’s Office as election clerk and payroll clerk for four years. ...” Wilhite: “2016-2018: served Ray County as their presiding commissioner and emergency management director. May 2015: a lot of road damage and flooding on our roads. I worked with FEMA and SEMA, and Ray County received …