When then-Platte County Assessor Lisa Pope died in spring of 2011, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed current assessor, Democrat David Christian, to the position.

Christian is now running against Republic challenger David Cox, a real estate broker, to be elected to the office.

The office includes about 15 employees, and both men spoke of the position as managerial in nature. They also both talked about the importance of fair appraisals and open communication with the people of the county.