Brad Eidson will be a candidate for associate circuit judge for Texas County in 2010.
Eidson will seek the Republican nomination in the August primary election, and the position will be filled at the November election. The elected position came open when Bradford Ellsworth, who won the office in 2002 and again in 2006, resigned due to mandatory retirement requirements. The position was filled for the remainder of the term by appointment of former Gov. Matt Blunt until the next general election.
Eidson has deep roots in southern Missouri. He was born and raised in Mountain View, and he has been a resident of Houston since 1980. He has been married to Rebecca Sharp Eidson for 30 years. The Houston School District and Exceptional Child Education Cooperative employed her until retirement in 2008.
The Eidsons raised two children in Houston. Sara Eidson is a graduate of Drury University and Missouri State University’s School of Physical Therapy. She is employed as a physical therapist at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. Grant Eidson is a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in accounting. He is employed by Reliable Toyota in Springfield.
Eidson graduated from Mountain View-Birch Tree, Liberty High School, at the mid-term of his senior year in 1974. He attended Missouri State University and graduated cum laude in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. He received his juris doctor degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 1980, passed the Missouri Bar and began practicing law in Houston in 1980.
Eidson served two years as Texas County assistant prosecuting attorney and four years as the elected prosecuting attorney in the county. He has been the attorney for the juvenile office on two separate occasions, the city attorney for Houston since 2003 and the attorney on several government projects in Texas County. Eidson has been a practicing attorney for 30 years with extensive experience in family, criminal and probate law. He has tried hundreds of cases throughout southern Missouri, including federal court.
Eidson was elected by his peers as president of the Texas County Bar and has served as president for more than 20 years. He has received the pro bono publico award from Legal Aid of Southwest Missouri for providing free legal services to the indigent. Eidson has served on committees with the Missouri Bar throughout his professional career and given public presentations on behalf of the Missouri Bar.
Eidson has been active in civic, business, community and church activities. He served as president of the Houston Lions Club and continues to be an active member of that organization. He serves on the Houston Industrial Development Authority board, which works to bring industry and jobs to the community. He also is a member of the Texas County Habilitation board, which is the primary funding agency for Opportunity Sheltered Industries, which is the county’s sheltered workshop.
He is a member of the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Houston Inc. The Eidsons have been active members of the Houston United Methodist Church since moving to Texas County in 1980.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have obtained trial experience during the past 30 years by practicing before elected judges who had considerable trial experience before being elected to the position I now seek. R. Mike Becker, John S. Beeler and Bradford E. Ellsworth not only brought their trial experiences to the judicial position, but also provided leadership and guidance to attorneys practicing before them. The combination of trial experience and leadership is the best possible way to provide justice to the citizens of Texas County. The people of Texas County deserve the most experienced, qualified, trusted and committed person available for the position.”