Charles McDonald (Missouri)

Charles McDonald (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Platte County County Commission to represent District 1 in Missouri. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

McDonald completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Charles McDonald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1990 to 1994. He graduated from McDonogh 35 High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Xavier University of Louisiana in 1995, a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in 2001, and a graduate degree from Avila University in 2011. His career experience includes working in healthcare.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Platte County Commission District 1

Allyson Berberich defeated Charles McDonald in the general election for Platte County Commission District 1 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Allyson Berberich (R)	53.3	14,620
	Submit photo	Charles McDonald (D)	46.4	12,727
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	57

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,404
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Platte County Commission District 1

Charles McDonald advanced from the Democratic primary for Platte County Commission District 1 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Charles McDonald	100.0	3,534

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,534
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Platte County Commission District 1

Allyson Berberich advanced from the Republican primary for Platte County Commission District 1 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Allyson Berberich	100.0	3,810

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,810
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McDonald in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Charles McDonald completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McDonald's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a resident of Platte County, I have always been passionate about public service. I volunteered as a Troop Committee member for Troop 433 and Assistant Scout Master for Troop 333 of Scouts BSA. I was a youth flag football and basketball coach with the YMCA and flag football coach with North Suburban Youth Football League. I was in member of WatchDOGS (Dads of Great Students) at Graden Elementary. Plus I have been a speaker during Career Share at Lakeview Middle School and a judge for Project Lead the Way.

I have a strong record of leadership and service. I am a past president of Mount Olive Lodge #21 Prince Hall F&AM in New Orleans, LA. I was a member of the Executive Council of Omicron Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in Fort Leavenworth, KS. I have spent over 20 years working in healthcare and chaired regional, and national professional boards including Past President of the Heart of America Association of Blood Banks and the Heart of America Chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) and a member of the board of directors of CLMA.

I have Masters degrees in Business Administration and Management from Avila University.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Inclusiveness As commissioner, I am committed to promoting inclusive governance that puts the needs of Platte County residents first. I believe that every member of our community deserves the opportunity to be productive citizens, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to the tools and resources they need to thrive. Together, we can build a more just and equitable Platte County.
Transparency I am a strong advocate for government transparency, as I believe it is essential for upholding the principles of democracy. It is disheartening to see a plethora of clandestine dealings and decisions being made behind closed doors, away from the public eye. Elected officials have a responsibility to serve the citizens, and this cannot be achieved without their active involvement and informed participation. It is imperative that we engage citizens in discussions about the solutions to the pressing issues that directly impact their lives, their hard-earned tax dollars, and their day-to-day lives.
Fiscal responsibility Platte County deserves a leader who will demand responsible budgets that benefit all residents. As your commissioner, I will work tirelessly to ensure that we are good stewards of our community resources. I am dedicated to openness, accountability, and transparency. I believe that together we can build a brighter future for Platte County.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

We need integrity, transparency, and accountability in county governance. We cannot continue to elect people who do not want to govern for everyone in Platte County.

We must solve the jail overcrowding problem. We need to renovate and expand the current facility. We also need to only housed people who need to be in jail.
We need to raise the county bond rating from "junk status". This will take fiscal responsibly of our county finances.
We must support local school districts. Our great schools are what drives our growth.

We need support our local business by promoting economic development that maintains the neighborly charm and appeal of the county.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The West Wing TV series played a significant role in influencing how I viewed and understood the intricacies of American politics, contributing to a nuanced and multifaceted perception of the political landscape.
The show displayed the tough decisions and political drama that the main character had to deal with. It highlighted how leadership can be stressful, and how leaders have to juggle their personal beliefs with what's best for the country. It was an enlightening experience into the complexities of political leadership.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should embody honesty by being truthful and transparent in their actions and decisions. Integrity is crucial, as they should adhere to ethical and moral principles.

Accountability is important to ensure that they take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
Empathy allows them to understand and connect with the needs and concerns of the people they serve. Strong communication skills enable them to effectively convey their ideas and listen to the perspectives of others.

A commitment to serving the public interest involves prioritizing the well-being of the community above personal or political gain. Making tough decisions in the best interest of the community showcases their leadership and dedication. Deep understanding of the issues facing constituents helps them formulate informed policies, and the willingness to listen to diverse perspectives fosters an inclusive and representative leadership style.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

When someone takes on the role of a commissioner, they take on many important responsibilities. These include the crucial task of building and maintaining the trust of the public through consistent and ethical behavior. They are also responsible for accurately representing the diverse needs and perspectives of their constituents, making complex policy decisions to benefit the community, and ensuring that their actions are transparent and accountable. In addition to these core responsibilities, they are also expected to prioritize fostering strong and open lines of communication with the citizens of the county and collaborate with other municipal bodies.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

President Bartlett
He was an exceptional leader, known for his brilliant mind, unwavering dedication to public service, and captivating charisma. He tackled complex moral and political dilemmas, always prioritizing the best interests of the nation. His integrity and staunch defense of democratic principles have earned him my admiration.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Joseph Keary, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
IBEW Local 124

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

It is important for the government to be open about the finances and to be accountable. When the government is clear about its financial activities, it builds trust with the public and makes sure that taxpayers' money is being used wisely. Holding the government accountable is important for keeping our political system honest and making sure that those in power are held responsible for their actions. Financial transparency and government accountability are essential for a fair and functioning society.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

External links

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Candidate

Platte County Commission District 1

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 23, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 23, 2024

[1]

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Charles McDonald (Missouri)

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Platte County Commission District 1

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Platte County Commission District 1

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Platte County Commission District 1

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

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