Republican Jeff Stockhorst was elected Eastern District Commissioner for Howard County during Tuesday’s Primary Election. Stockhorst took 57.86 percent of the vote with 357 ballots cast in his favor. Dean Fuemmeler finished with 178 and Blake Spry tallied 82. Because there are no candidates for any other parties in the race, Stockhorst will assume the office.

In the Western District Commissioner Republican primary, Mathew Freese handily defeated Randy McMillan by a margin of 73.66 percent to 26.34 percent. Freese totaled 548 votes and will face Democrat Charlie Polson who defeated Mike Vroman 57.77 percent to 42.23 percent, or 305 to 223 votes, respectively.

Only 35.75 percent of Howard County voters turned out to the polls today. 

In the race for State Representative for District 48, Republican Tim Taylor was the favorite with 748 votes, or 67.21 percent of the Howard County vote. Don Baragary tallied 365 votes for 32.79 percent.

Taylor won the district as a whole with 66.943% of the vote.

“We worked really hard getting out and talking with people, and I think it paid off in the end,” Mr. Taylor said shortly after results were tallied Tuesday night.

Taylor had a strong team behind him, including campaign treasurer Matt Hudson, who is well known in Fayette. “There are a lot of good people helping me, and I really appreciated them,” said Mr. Taylor.

The current representative for the 48th District, Dave Muntzel was not allowed to seek re-election due to term limits. And given Muntzel is a Republican in a very red state, Taylor considers this an advantage when he takes on Democrat William Betteridge who ran unopposed in the primary. “I do think it gives me an edge. Historically the percentages are better for a Republican than for a Democrat. I personally know my Democratic opponent. He’s going to be a good competitor.

“I’m proud that we ran a clean campaign, the two Republicans, and I plan to do that will Bill also,” said Mr. Taylor. 

For United States Representative for District 4, incumbent Vicky Hartzler handily won the Howard County vote 1049 to 342 over challenger Neal Gist. 

Rep. Hartzler went on to win the district as a whole with 76.605% of the vote. She will face Democrat Lindsey Simmons, who ran unopposed, and Libertarian Steven K. Koonse.

In statewide races, Howard County resoundingly voted down Amendment 2, 62.43 percent to 37.57 percent (1,487 against to 895 in favor), which would have expanded Medicaid in Missouri. 

Howard County Republicans overwhelmingly voted for party favorites Mike Parson and Mike Kehoe as nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, respectively. Likewise, Democrats easily handed approval for Democrat challenger Nicole Galloway for Governor. Alissa Canady won 62.48 percent of the county vote for Lieutenant Governor over Gregory Upchurch.