Election Results
Wed, 08/12/2020 - 10:34am
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Eslinger Takes Nomination by 142 Votes
After a three-way primary for the State Senate seat for District 33 that pitted Robert Ross, Van Kelly, and Karla Eslinger against each other in the primary election on August 4, Karla Eslinger emerged the winner by a margin of 142 votes, as counted by the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. Eslinger received 12,701 votes; Ross received 12,559, and Van Kelly received 8,958 votes.
As winner of the Republican nomination, Eslinger’s work is not over. She must defeat Democrat Tammy Harty in the general election in November.
Campbell Wins Primary, Will Run Unopposed in General Election
In a hotly contested election for the Republican nomination for Sheriff of Howell County, Brent Campbell emerged the victor with 76.25% of the vote, as reported by the Howell County Clerk’s office. Campbell will face no opponent in the general election, and can be accurately considered the Sheriff-elect of Howell County. He will take office on January 1, 2021.
Wood Slated to Fill Northern Commissioner's Chair
Calvin Wood emerged victorious in Tuesday’s primary election with 1,149 votes. Jake Clinton received 918 votes; Kathleen Hensley received 551, and Donald Brotherton received 275 votes. There are no candidates from opposing parties in the general election, making Wood the de facto Northern Commissioner.
Incumbent Southern Commissioner, Billy Sexton, ran unopposed in the Tuesday’s primary, and he faces no opponent in November.
Presiding Commissioner Mark Collins was not up for reelection this year and will be joined by Sexton and Wood when incumbent Northern Commissioner Bill Lovelace retires at the end of the current term.
State Representatives Chosen in Tuesday’s Primary
Howell County will continue to be represented in the Missouri House of Representatives by David Evans. The incumbent legislator ran unopposed in the primary election, and faces no opponent in November. In nearby Texas County, Bennie Cook won the Republican ticket over Terry Brown and David Giarratano. The freshman legislator will head to Jefferson City and could be joined by another Republican new to the state house: Travis Smith won the primary in District 155 over Joe Combs. Each man must win the November election, but Cook faces no opponent. Smith must defeat Democrat Mike Lind in the general election to take his seat.
Also in Howell County, Tim Cherry ran unopposed for County Coroner. Daniel Franks ran unopposed for County Assessor. Ralph Riggs ran unopposed for Surveyor, and John Pruett will remain the Public Administrator, as he was also unopposed.
State-Level Results of August Primary
Unlike in races for local representatives, Republican candidates for statewide offices must each face candidates from other parties in the general election in November.
For the office of governor, incumbent Governor Mike Parson won the Republican Party nomination. He will face Democrat and current State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Libertarian Rick Combs, and Green Party member Jerome Bauer.
Mike Kehoe will run as the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor against Democrat Alissia Canady, Libertarian Bill Slantz, and Green Party member Kelley Dragoo.
In the race for Secretary of State, incumbent Jay Ashcroft ran unopposed by other Republicans, but will face Democrat Yinka Faleti, Constitution Party member Paul Venable, Libertarian Carl Freese, and Green Party member Paul Lehmann.
Incumbent State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick ran unopposed in the primary. He will face Democrat Vicki Englund, Green Party member Joseph Civettini, and Libertarian Nick Kasoff.
Current Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt retains the nomination from Republicans, but will be opposed in November by Democrat Rich Finneran, and Libertarian Kevin Babcock.
For the District 8 seat in the United State Congress, Jason Smith, the incumbent Republican, will face Democrat Kathy Ellis and Libertarian Tom Schmitz in the general election.
The Narrow Majority Has Spoken: Medicaid Expansion is Happening in MO
With only 53.25% of the vote, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2 to the Missouri State Constitution, guaranteeing funding for Medicaid expansion in the state. On the ballot thanks to a petition initiative, Amendment 2 appeared on the primary ballot by an action of Governor Parson.
With a state budget already crushed by the COVID-19 pandemic, finding more dollars in the state budget to pay for additional Medicaid coverage for a greater number of Missourians is a concern held by many legislators. Medicaid spending currently consumes 40% of the state budget.
Proponents of Amendment 2 look forward to increased access to healthcare for a greater number of Missourians and cite the federal dollars that will initially funnel into Missouri to fund the expanded program.
No matter the arguments for or against it, the majority has spoken. Medicaid expansion is coming to Missouri.