“Interesting” might be the proper term to use in describing Tuesday’s primary election in Douglas County.
In most county races, Tuesday’s ballot was an elective ballot. The presiding commissioner is the only county office to be decided in November.
That in itself has an interesting twist, because challenger Larry Pueppke unseated incumbent Butch Linder in a four-man race in the Republican primary. Pueppke, a former associate commissioner, will face Democrat Rufus (Bud) Clinkingbeard in the general election.
Clinkingbeard was unopposed on Tuesday.
Circuit Clerk Kim Hathcock was the top vote-getter in the county in the contested races and won re-election over two challengers with 57.24 percent of the votes.
County Recorder Tina Boyd won re-election over challenger Kathy Bray, but that race was not decided until the last precinct reported, with 16 votes separating the two, according to the unofficial tally.
The county treasurer race was another nail-biter, with 200 votes separating the top three candidates in a five-woman race. Theresa Miller emerged the winner with 28.35 percent of the votes.
Miller will assume the office, succeeding long-time treasurer Kathleen Potter who did not seek re-election.
Perhaps one of the most interesting races, however, was that for prosecuting attorney.
Former associate circuit judge and defense attorney Roger Wall staved off a stalwart challenge from Karen Bates-Crouch who has lived in this area less that three years and was virtually unknown in the political arena prior to the primary campaign.
Bates-Crouch, who practiced law in Nebraska some 17 years before moving to Ava, kept the margin close throughout the evening as precincts reported in, and actually took a lead at one time.
Contested races in Douglas County Republican Primary
Presiding Commissioner
Larry Pueppke 1340
Butch Linder 1094
Robert Robertson 695
Jeff Freeman 427
Circuit Clerk
Kim Hathcock 2032
Phyllis Swofford 968
Sandra Hylton 550
Recorder of Deeds
Tina Boyd 1777
Kathy Bray 1761
Treasurer
Theresa Miller 1004
Marsha Miller 898
Jayma Potter 803
Linda Paul 636
Kelly Degase 201
Prosecuting Attorney
Roger Wall 1803
Karen Bates-Crouch 1749
In district and statewide races, Republican Roy Blunt took a commanding lead over eight other candidates for U.S. Senate and will face Democrat Robin Carnahan in November.
In the 8th Congressional District, which includes Douglas County, Jo Ann Emerson held off challenger Bob Parker. Emerson will face Democrat Tommy Sowers in November.
In the 7th Congressional District to our west, Billy Long, of Springfield, emerged the winner over Jack Goodman, Gary Nodler, Darrell Moore, and four other candidates who were looking to fill Roy Blunt’s seat in Congress.
Long will face Democrat Scott Eckersley in November.
Democratic State Auditor Susan Montee won her party’s nomination on Tuesday and will be challenged by Republican Tom Schweich in November. Schweich defeated Allen Icet in the primary. Montee received little pressure from Democratic challenger Abdul Akram who received less than 10 percent of the votes.
Democrat Terry Traw and Republican Jay Wasson were each unopposed for party nominations for Missouri Senate in District 20.
Republican incumbent Tony Dugger, of Hartville, was unopposed for State Representative in the 144th District and faces no opposition in November.
In the 143rd District, which includes Ozark and Taney counties, Lyle Rowland received the Republican nod to replace Maynard Wallace who leaves office via term limits.
Rowland, who faces no opposition in November, beat out Mike Lind and Tracy Mooney in Tuesday’s primary.
Douglas County voters, and voters statewide, gave a strong yes vote to Proposition C which, as it is worded, gives Missourians the option of not participating in President Barack Obama’s federal healthcare plan.
Douglas County office-holders who faced no opposition in the primary and are unchallenged in November include Associate Circuit Judge Craig Carter, County Clerk Karry Davis, and County Collector Laura Stillings.
Bonita Stafford was elected Republican committeewoman in Benton township over challenger Patricia Davis in the only contested race for a county committee position.
Records show that 37.97 percent of Douglas County voters cast a ballot on Tuesday. This was well above the statewide average of 22.9 percent released by Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.
Josh Hoppe of the Douglas County Herald staff was at the courthouse Tuesday night and was able to post election results on the Herald’s website as they came in.
The complete official vote by township will be posted on the website later this week.
