PHOTO GALLERY: Republican Mitch Richards meets with voters during his campaign for the 47th District

Mitch Richards walks out of the pen after helping Bill Clark, who is in the yellow shirt, stand up at Cow Patty Bingo at the Perche Creek Cafe in Midway on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Richards chatted with local voters and spoke to the crowd about his goals for Missouri's 47th District if he was elected. Cow Patty Bingo is an annual fundraiser and local tradition, hosted by the Central and Northeast Missouri Food Bank. Clark was knocked over by the cow and was quickly aided by a group of local politicians speaking at the event.   |  Mitch Richards walks out of the pen

Mitch Richards, the Republican candidate for state representative in the 47th District, speaks to the crowd Friday, Sept. 28, at the Boone County Republicans Fall Barbecue at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Columbia. The barbecue featured speeches by candidates from around Boone County, as well as keynote speaker Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.   |  Rachel English

On Thursday, Oct. 25, at Oakland Junior High, ninth graders Antony Chu, left, and Rich Dao, right, chat with state representative candidate for the 47th District, Mitch Richards, about their report on Richards. The ninth-grade honors English and political science students held a political convention to give reports on local and national candidates to the community. Richards attended the convention to see the report about him and other candidates.   |  Rachel English

Bonnie Friehling records her son, Mitch Richards, as he answers a question alongside his opponent John Wright at the League of Women Voters candidate forum Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Columbia Public Library. Friehling says she attends her sons campaign events to see him in action.   |  Rachel English

Mitch Richards speaks to Paul Couture, an attendant of Richards' fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Cooper's Oak Winery in Higbee.   |  Rachel English

Mitch Richards watches the first presidential debate through the door Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Boone County Republicans Office at the Parkade Center. Attendees gathered to watch the debate and support local Republican campaigns.   |  Rachel English

On Thursday, Sept. 20, a Mitch Richards pamphlet is stuck in the door at a home in the West Broadway neighborhood in Columbia.   |  Rachel English