The re-election of two county commissioners and a loss by the incumbent in the county coroner's race were among local results in Missouri's Primary Election held Aug. 6.
In the District 1 Associate Commissioner’s race, incumbent Jay Wengert won against challenger Jeff Bohnert with a vote of 1,246 to 860.
In response to his re-election, Wengert said, “We’re glad we won. We put a lot of hard work into it. We walked a lot, knocked on a lot of doors, put out a lot of signs and talked to a lot of people. I’m glad it went my way because we’ve got more to do. We've gotten a lot done, but we’ve got more to do.
“I want to thank everyone for all their love and support, especially my wife. You know, it takes a lot of time to run these campaigns, and I just really appreciate all the support that everybody has shown me. They can call me anytime if they ever have any questions. That's what I'm here for — to help. I look forward to serving the great people in Perry County for four more years as I keep trying to make it a great place to live and raise a family.”
Incumbent District 2 Associate Commissioner Keith Hoehn faced three challengers in his race for re-election. In the final tally, Hoehn won a second term with 897 votes. His opponents, Rocky Schumer, Damon Lee Dillard and Douglas Martin, received 803, 380 and 180 votes, respectively.
Reflecting on his win, Hoehn said, “It’s a relief that it’s over, and I don't have to go until November like the last time. I’ve been campaigning hard since the second week of June until right up before the election, so it's been a long summer.
“I'd love to thank all my family, friends and all the great citizens of Perry County for trusting in me for another term. I just hope that we can mend some of the fences that were torn down this year and reunite the county again.”
In a close race, incumbent William “Bill” Bohnert lost his bid for re-election to Meghan Buerck-Ellis with a vote of 2,178 to 2,069.
Responding to her successful bid for the position of county coroner, Buerck-Ellis said, “I have the best family, friends, supporters, and community. My evening was full of emotions and an outpouring of love. Surround yourself with individuals who cheer you on and lift you up.
“Everyone here tonight was also prepared to pick me up if things went a different route, and I couldn’t feel more loved! All of the texts and encouragement from the ones who couldn’t be here were too many to count, let alone respond to last night. I am truly blessed. I still can’t believe it’s real!”
In Perry County, Bill Eigel won the Republican primary for governor with 1,588 votes, compared to opponents Mike Kehoe, 1,496; John R. (Jay) Ashcroft, 921; Amber Thomsen, 66; Chris Wright, 47; Robert James Olson, 19; and Darren L. Grant, 9. Statewide, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe won the statewide primary and will face his Democratic challenger in the November election.
Holly Rehder won the Lieutenant Governor race in Perry County with a vote of 1,769 against her opponents Dave Wasinger, 887; Lincoln Hough, 824; Tim Baker, 273; and Matthew E. Porter, 128. Statewide, Dave Wasinger won the statewide primary and will face his Democratic opponent in November.
In Perry County, Denny Hoskins won the Secretary of State race with a vote of 1,190 against his opponents Dean Polcher, 723; Mike Carter, 516; Shane Schoeller, 320; Mary Elizabeth Coleman, 277; Adam J. Schwadron, 252; Jamie Corley, 216; and Valentina Gomez, 180. Hoskins also won the statewide Republican primary and will face his Democratic opponent in November.
Vivek Malek won the State Treasurer race in Perry County with a vote of 1,711 against his opponents Lori Rook, 863; Andrew Koenig, 802; Cody Smith, 422; Tina Goodrick, 77; and Karen Pujji, 24. Statewide, Malek won the Republican primary and will face his Democratic opponent in November.
In Perry County, Andrew Bailey won the Attorney General race with a vote of 2,363 against his opponent Will Scharf, 1,381. Statewide, Bailey also won the primary and will face his Democratic opponent in November.
Congressman Jason Smith handily beat out his opponents in Perry County for the District 8 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 3,448 against his challengers James Snider, 326, and Grant Heithold, 248. Overwhelmingly winning the statewide race, Smith will go up against his Democratic opponent in the November election.
Jacob Turner won the State Senator District 27 race in Perry County with a vote of 1,854 to 1,556 for his opponent, Jamie Burger, and 628 for Christina (Chris) Dodson. Statewide, Jamie Burger won the primary. He will run unopposed in the November Election.
Republican Dave Soto won the State Representative District 145 race in Perry County with a vote of 2,539 to 1,657 against his opponent Bryant Wolfin. Statewide, Wolfin won the primary. He will run unopposed in the November election.
Thomas Unger won the Brazeau Township Committeeman race with a vote of 222 to 123 against his opponent Jim Palisch.
Brian Cooper won the Central Township Committeeman race with a vote of 779 to 710 for opponent Keith Carroll and 487 for Scott Sattler.
Chris Francis won the Central Township Committeewoman race with a vote of 1,297 to 686 for her opponent Brenda Thurm Hopfer.
Dana A Baer-Hoehn won the Salem Township Committeewoman race with a vote of 129 to 72 for her opponent, Terry L. Hill.
Allen Muench won the Saline Township Committeeman race with a vote of 204 to 170 against his opponent, Tim Ritter.
Pamela Muench won the Saline Township Committeewoman race with a vote of 219 to 157 against her opponent, Marsha Hutchison.
Craig Schuessler won the Union Township Committeeman race with a vote of 234 to 90 against his opponent, Damon Lee Dillard.
In Perry County, Lucas Kunce won the primary for U.S. Senator with a vote of 165 against his opponents Karla May, 70; December L. Harmon, 30; and Karla May, 70 and Mita Biswas, 5. Kunce also won the statewide primary and, in November, will face U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, who was running unopposed in the Republican primary, and Libertarian Party candidate W.C. Young, who also ran unopposed.
Crystal Quade won the primary for Governor in Perry County with 114 votes against her opponents Mike Hamra, 69; Eric Morrison, 46; Sheryl Gladney, 28; and Hollis L. Laster, 10. Quade also won the statewide primary and will face Republican Mike Kehoe in the November election, as well as Libertarian Party candidate Bill Slantz, who ran unopposed.
In Perry County, Richard Brown won the primary for Lieutenant Governor with a vote of 166 against his opponent Anastasia Syes, 94. Brown also won the statewide primary and will face Republican David Wasinger and Libertarian Party candidate Ken Iverson, who ran unopposed, in the November election.
Barbara Phifer won the primary for Secretary of State in Perry County with 104 votes against her opponents Haley Jacobson, 78 and Monique Williams, 76. Statewide, Phifer won the primary and will face Republican Denny Hoskins and Libertarian candidate Carl Herman Freese, who ran unopposed, in the November election.
Mark Osmack ran unopposed. In the November election, he will face Republican Vivek Malek and Libertarian Party candidate John A Hartwig Jr., who also ran unopposed.
Elad Jonathan Gross ran unopposed. In the November election, he will face Republican Andrew Bailey and Libertarian Party candidate Ryan L. Munro, who also ran unopposed.
Randi McCallian won the primary in Perry County with 171 votes, beating his opponent Franklin Delano Roth II. McCallian also won the statewide primary and will face Republican Jason Smith and Libertarian Party candidate Jake Dawson, who ran unopposed, in the November election.
