Stoddard County voters approve measures to help sheriff’s department

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Stoddard County voters approved two propositions that will help the sheriff’s department during Tuesday’s election.

Voters approved Proposition 1 which enacted a countywide sales tax of one half of one percent for the purpose of maintaining the Stoddard County Jail and sheriff’s office operations with no sunset by a vote of 3,490 to 2,339.

Proposition 2, which asked for a countywide sales tax of one half of one percent for the purpose of the renovation of the existing jail, construction, equipment and design cost of a jail addition, which would sunset in seven years, was also approved by a vote of 3,248 to 2,488.

In the race for presiding commissioner on the Republican ticket, Danny Talkington came away with the win, collecting 2,189 votes, defeating Brock W. Williams (994), Samuel W. Huey Jr. (690) and Jeff Riddle (714).

All other local races on the Republican ticket were unopposed and included: Rob Mayer, circuit judge (4,151 votes); Bradley D. Jarrell, associate circuit judge (3,857 votes); Cecil Weeks, county clerk (3,955 votes); Paula Yancey, circuit clerk (3,898 votes); and Russ Oliver, prosecuting attorney (3,875 votes).

On the Democratic ballot, all local races were unopposed and included: Kathy Ellis, US Representative District 8 (911 votes); Jerry Howard, State Representative District 151 (917 votes); Joe Z. Satterfield, associate circuit judge (933 votes); and Kay Asbell, recorder of deeds (979 votes).

Voters in Stoddard County opposed Proposition A by a vote of 3,000 to 2,844.

On the Republican ticket, voters in Mississippi County opted for Josh Hawley as the Republican candidate for U.S. Senator. Hawley collected 2,687 votes in a crowded field, defeating Tony Monetti (442), Austin Peterson (231), Fred Ryman (63), Christina Smith (166), Kristi Nichols (207), Bradley Krembs (24), Ken Patterson (143), Brian G. Hagg (35), Courtland Sykes (52) and Peter Pfeifer (166).

For state auditor on the Republican ballot, Stoddard County voters chose Saundra McDowell with 1,331 votes over Kevin M. Roach (1,158), David Wasinger (690) and Paul Curtman (609).

Running unopposed on the Republican ticket were: Jason Smith, U.S. Representative, District 8 (4,075 votes); and Herman Morse, state representative District 151 (4,071 votes).

Claire McCaskill was the choice of Stoddard County voters for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator. With 861 votes, Stoddard County chose McCaskill over challengers Carla (Coffee) Wright (102), Angelica Earl (19), Leonard Joseph Steinman II (13), John Hogan (34), Travis Gonzalez (9) and David Faust (32).

Also running unopposed on the Democratic ticket was Nicole Galloway for state auditor (887 votes).

Running unopposed in the Libertarian Party were, Japeth Campbell, US Senate (7 votes); Sean O’Toole, state auditor (7 votes); Jonathan L. Shell, US Representative District 8 (6 votes); and Rick Vandeven, State Representative District 151 (6 votes).

On the Green Party ballot in Stoddard County, voters opted for Jo Crain over Jerome Bauer 2 votes to zero in the US Senate race. Don Fitz ran unopposed for state auditor in the Green Party and picked up a single vote.

Jacob Luetkemeyer, a candidate for state auditor in the Constitution Party garnered a single vote.

Overall, there were 5,890 ballots cast in Stoddard County, with 29.63 percent of the registered voters taking part in Tuesday’s election.