'Big races' draw nearly 45 percent turnout in Perry County

A trio of hotly contested races boosted turnout to nearly 45 percent Tuesday in Perry County, Missouri, as voters chose replacements for some longtime public servants who are retiring at the end of their terms.

"We had some big races. ... It's been an interesting day, to say the least," said county clerk Randy Taylor, who is one of the officeholders retiring this year in Perry County, where 44.84 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls Tuesday.

Treasurer Veronica Hershey and recorder of deeds Susan Oster also are stepping down.

The open seats drew 13 candidates among the three races. Because no Democrats filed for any of the offices, the winner of the Republican primary in each race will be uncontested in the general election.

County clerk

Jared Kutz garnered 32.47 percent of the vote to win the position Taylor is leaving.

He edged out Cathy Lohmann Stumpe by 46 votes, beating her 1,576 votes to 1,530. Stumpe took 31.52 percent of the vote, coming in ahead of Steven C. King (27.05 percent) and Mina Hoehn (8.96 percent).

Recorder of deeds

Dana Ballman Pritchard easily won the race for recorder of deeds with 47.8 percent of the vote, defeating Samantha Schremp (21.09 percent), Kimberly Wingerter (16.57 percent) and Perryville Alderman Douglas K. Martin (14.54 percent).

Treasurer

In the five-way race to replace Hershey as treasurer, Kathy Schumer took 30.74 percent of the vote to win over candidates Jackie C. Wengert (21.78 percent), Diane B. Geile (17.14 percent), Brian Charles Brickhaus (15.2 percent) and Lisa Lukefahr (15.14 percent).

epriddy@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Perry County, MO