Maples Elected Northern Commissioner:

-

Republicans gathered at a watch party at Reeds Spring Pizza Company

Stone County Clerk Judy Berkstresser says voter turnout was slightly lower than projected for Tuesday's general election with just over 16,000 votes being cast.

President Barack Obama was elected for a second term, but voters in Stone County overwhelmingly voted for his Republican challenger Mitt Romney.  The Romney/Ryan ticket garnered 11,780 votes compared to the 3,920 for the Obama/Biden ticket.

There was only one contested race left on the ballot for voters in the northern part of the county, as other races were decided during the August primary.  Newcomer Mark Maples handily defeated incumbent Jim Huy by a 70% margin and will become the county's northern commissioner in January.

Maples, a self employed business owner was a former alderman in Clever in the late 90's, says he's been fiscally conservative in his businesses and will do the same "with the people's money."  Maples garnered over 4600 votes to Huy's 2013 in unofficial election results.  Governor Jay Nixon appointed Huy to serve the remainder of Kenneth Booth's term following his death in 2010.

Races decided during the August primary were:  Doug Rader - Sheriff; Wendy Metcalf - Public Administrator; Jerry Dodd - Southern Commissioner; Rick Kemp - County Surveyor; Brad Hudson - County Assessor and Rick Stumpff as Coroner. 

Jack Goodman was elected Presiding Judge for the 39th circuit, which covers Stone, Barry and Lawrence counties.

In state races, Governor Jay Nixon was reelected and Claire McCaskill held on to her Senate seat.  Voters kept Lt. Governor Peter Kinder; Treasurer Clint Zweifel and attorney General Chris Koster in office and elected Jason Kander to his first term as Secretary of State. 

Barry County business owner David Sater was elected to serve in the State Senate and Congressman Billy Long will head back Washington to represent the 7th Congressional district. Former Highway Patrol trooper Don Phillips will continue to represent the 138th District.

Proposition's A & E passed, while Prop B, also known as the tobacco tax, failed.