McBeth announces his bid for judicial seat

Judge Gerald D. (Jerry) McBeth announced that he had filed for one more term as Associate Circuit Judge for Vernon County. McBeth assumed the bench on Feb. 1, 1991 after Judge Patricia Breckenridge was appointed to the Western District Court of Appeals. He was reelected in 1992, 1994, and 1998 in uncontested races and in 2002 against his current opponent. This would be McBeth's last term due to state-mandated retirement.

McBeth said in addition to loving what he does, he had another sentimental reason to run.

"I served as a practicing lawyer for 20 years and I would like to close out my career with 20 years as a judge. It has been a pleasure serving the people of Vernon County and I am asking to be allowed to serve my last four eligible years on the bench." McBeth graduated from William Jewell College in 1963 and taught junior high school until he entered law school in 1968. He graduated from the University of Missouri Law School in 1971 where he ranked seventh in his class of 98. While in law school, he wrote several articles that were published in the Missouri Law Review. He joined the Ewing Law Firm in 1971, upon graduation.

During his law practice, Judge McBeth served on the Missouri Bar Young Lawyers Counsel and wrote for The Missouri Bar Continuing Legal Education Hand Book. The Missouri Jaycees named him as one of Missouri's Five Outstanding Young Men in 1975. The Nevada Rotary Club named him Citizen of the Year in 1986. While on the bench, he has served the last 12 years on the Missouri Supreme Court Committee for Trial Judge Education and is an active member of the Missouri Association of Probate and Associate Circuit Judges.

McBeth and his wife Susan, who is director of the Nevada Public Library, have four adult children and four grandchildren.