Voters in Howard County re-elected Republican incumbent Deborah Riekhof in a landslide for Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday, and soundly rejected Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational use of marijuana in Missouri. In Fayette, a proposal to add a half-cent public safety tax failed buy just eight votes.

According to unofficial results from Howard County Clerk Shelly Howell, 57.44% of voters in Howard County turned out for the midterm election.

Mrs. Riekhof, a two-term incumbent, won re-election with 58.79% of the vote, defeating a challenge from Fayette attorney Frank R. Flaspohler, who ran as an Independent. Mrs. Riekhof tallied 2,217 votes, compared to 1,539 for Mr. Flaspohler. She won every voting precinct except for Richmond Township (Fayette), which favored Mr. Flaspohler 560 to 478. 

Howard County voters also said no to Amendment 3, which has drawn statewide bipartisan opposition in recent weeks. The “No” votes totaled 2,065, or 52.94%, with 1,763 votes, or 46.06%, in favor.

All other elections for county-wide offices were unopposed. In addition, Missouri District 48 Representative Tim Taylor was unchallenged in his bid for a second term.

Voters in Fayette narrowly defeated a half-cent public safety tax, 338 to 330. The sales tax would have been used to help fund police and fire departments.

Howard County voters overwhelmingly approved Republican Eric Schmitt to replace outgoing U.S. Senator Roy Blunt with 65.29% of the vote. Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine tallied 31.25% of votes here.

Schmitt was projected to win the U.S. Senate seat as votes were still being tallied statewide.

For State Auditor, Howard County voters strongly backed Republican Scott Fitzpatrick with 71.8% of the vote. Democrat Alan Green had 24.29%, with Libertarian John A. Hartwig, Jr. bringing in 3.9%.

Howard County also strongly supported Republican Mark Alford over Democrat Jack Truman and Libertarian Randy Langkraehr for District 4 U.S. Representative. The seat was previously held by Republican Vicky Hartzler who lost the GOP primary for U.S. Senate. Mr. Alford raked in 69.96% of the vote, compared to 26.64% for Mr. Truman, and 3.41% for Mr. Langkraehr.