NEW MADRID, MO. - With a close race in New Madrid County, it was the strong support in Pemiscot County that boosted Edward Reeves into office as the next 34th District Circuit Judge.
According to unofficial returns from the office of New Madrid County Clerk Clement Cravens, Republican Daniel Cornacchione Sr. received 2,961 votes in New Madrid County while Democrat Edward Reeves had 2,618 votes. In Pemiscot County, Reeves polled 2,764 over Cornacchione’s 1,700, giving Reeves a total of 5,382 to defeat Cornachione, who polled a total of 4,661.
Reeves will replace longtime Judge Fred Copeland, who did not seek re-election.
The only other local contest on the New Madrid County ballot was in Canalou, where voters were asked whether the position of tax collector should be appointed annually by the mayor and approved by the board of alderman rather than elected. The issue received 38 votes in favor of appointing the tax collector while there were 28 no votes.
Overall, Cravens said he was pleased with the turnout of 5,779, or almost 50 percent of those registered to vote in the county. He noted the number is higher than a typical mid-term election.
“It was a very steady turnout,” Cravens added.
None of the countywide candidates were opposed on the ballots. Re-elected were Democrats, Joshua D. Underwood, associate circuit judge, 4,375 votes; Mark Baker, presiding commissioner, 4,198; Clement Cravens, county clerk, 4,179; Dewayne Nowlin, collector, 4,392; Steve Riley, treasurer, 4,214; Kim St. Mary Hall, recorder, 4,216; Andrew Lawson, prosecuting attorney, 4,089; and Marsha Meatte Holiman, circuit clerk, 4,208.
Republican Don Rone overwhelmed the competition for 149th District state representative. In New Madrid County, Rone took more than 70 percent of the vote with 4,080 votes in his favor. Challengers Democrat Bill Burlison had 1,466 votes with Independent Jackie Townes McGee receiving 154 votes.
Like the rest of the Eighth District, Rep. Jason Smith again got the nod from New Madrid County voters. Locally, Smith earned 4,090 votes over Democrat Kathy Ellis, who received 1,518 votes; and Libertarian Jonathan L. Shell, who had 65 votes.
The choice of New Madrid County voters for senator was Republican Josh Hawley, who garnered 3,964 over 1,661 votes for Democrat incumbent Claire McCaskill. Other votes were divided among Libertarian Japheth Campbell, 44; Jo Crain, Green Party candidate, 20; and Craig O’Dear, Independent candidate, 48.
Republican Saundra McDowell was the choice of local residents to serve as state auditor. There were 3,675 votes for McDowell to 1,770 for incumbent Nicole Galloway, a Democrat; 77 for Libertarian candidate Sean O’Toole; 49 for Green Party candidate Don Fitz; and 38 for Constitutional Party candidate Jacob Luetkemeyer.
All three judicial candidates received the approval of the county’s voters.
Supreme Court Judge W. Brent Powell earned 3,846 yes votes over 989 no votes. Supreme Court Judge Mary Rhodes Russell had 3,763 yes votes and 1,072 no votes. Southern District Appeals Court Judge Jeffrey Bates received 3,747 yes votes to 1,034 no votes.
AMENDMENTS/ PROPOSITIONS
Although approved statewide, New Madrid County residents said no to Amendment 1, which sought ethics reform. The local vote was close with 2,775 no votes, or 50.67 percent; to 2,702 yes votes, or 49.33 percent.
County residents gave their approval to Amendment 2 rather than Amendment 3, both of which sought to legalize medical marijuana by amending the Missouri Constitution. On Amendment 2 some 3,575 were in favor of the amendment with 2,016 voting no. On Amendment 3 there were 3,439 residents who voted no to 2,103 yes votes.
A third medical marijuana issue, Proposition C, which would legalize the drug in state statute, was also turned down by local residents. There were 3,020 no votes and 2,476 yes votes.
Voters in the county opposed amending the state constitution dealing with the advertising and management of bingo games. In a close contest on Amendment 4, the vote was 2,414 yes and 2,951 no.
A proposal to increase in the minimum wage to $8.65 per hour next year and boost it by .85 cents each year until it reaches $12 per hour in 2023 got the nod from local voters, who cast 3,434 yes votes on Proposition B and 2,155 no votes..
Proposition D which would increase the motor fuel tax by 2.5 cents per gallon for four years, had little support in the county. Only 2,031 voters approved the proposal with 3,539 opposing it.