A mainstay in Buchanan County Courthouse politics for nearly three decades sees a window, but it’s more than three hours away in Jefferson City.

Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway over the weekend announced he would seek the 27th House District seat in the November 2010 election, ending a tenure he began in the early 1980s.

“It’s a tough decision, but I think it’s time and I think the opportunity is there because of term limits,” the St. Joseph Democrat said. “If I don’t take advantage of it now, I’d probably never be able to take advantage of it.”

He long has eyed service in the Statehouse, but Mr. Conway explained Democratic friends that he wouldn’t challenge have occupied the post until now. The current office holder, Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, must vacate the seat in December because of term limits and no other Democrats have announced bids.

Still, dealing with the decision he and his wife made late last week has proved “very traumatic,” he said.

“I’ve been here for 27 years. Everybody has to confront their life,” said Mr. Conway, who paused before adding, “I don’t know that I can do much more down here in another four years.”

Mr. Conway took office in 1983.

The now veteran county politician helped streamline county elections and shift election night reporting to the Web. Mr. Conway also spearheaded efforts to recruit charities, high school and college students to help at the polls in the popular “adopt a precinct” and scholarship programs.

While other counties have taken their ballot system to touch screens, Mr. Conway has fought to keep a paper trail in Buchanan County as a way to promote confidence and validity in the system.

He’s grown active in the state and national arena, as he’s served as a board member on the Missouri Association of Counties and recently was elected as Central Region representative on the National Association of Counties’ executive committee.

And while he admits some unfinished business still exists, he’s choosing to move on.

“There are other things I want to do in my life and one of them is to go to Jefferson City,” Mr. Conway said. “I don’t want to look back in the twilight and know I didn’t take the chance to do it.”

If successful, Mr. Conway would take a significant pay cut. He now earns $71,915 annually as county clerk. State representatives make $35,915 a year.

But Mr. Conway said the money doesn’t concern him. The Legislature needs more voices from local governments, he said, noting that he looks to advocate for early voting and the consolidation of election dates.

His Statehouse move could result in a notable switch in Buchanan County politics, as Mr. Wildberger is interested in running for an office in county government and has mentioned the clerk post has a possibility.

“It creates an opening there at the courthouse that I think I can handle and I think I could do a good job,” Mr. Wildberger said.

He made no official announcement, though, as Recorder of Deeds Karen Higginbotham also has announced retirement plans, which brings another wide-open race. He also said he’s considering a run at the presiding commissioner post, which Republican R.T. Turner now occupies.

In any case, Mr. Wildberger gave his full endorsement of Mr. Conway’s bid for the 27th House District seat.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “Pat has a pretty good record of public service.”

The courthouse buzzed Monday with news that Mr. Conway would be leaving.

“We’re going to lose someone who is, in my opinion, the best county clerk in the state of Missouri,” said county Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins, who was elected in 1990.

Mr. Scroggins described the clerk position as difficult and complicated, advising Mr. Conway’s successor to be ready for a steep learning curve. He predicted a short loss of efficiency in the office after 2010, when Mr. Conway will vacate it.

“But I’m not surprised Pat was ready for a new challenge. I think he’ll make a tremendous state representative,” said Mr. Scroggins, a Democrat.

No Republicans have announced intentions to run for the 27th House District.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.