CROWELL GETS NOD IN 158TH

In the first hotly contested state representative's race Cape Girardeau has experienced in years, attorney Jason Crowell claimed a sound victory Tuesday over two opponents in the Republican primary for the open 158th District seat.

Crowell captured 63 percent of the vote and all 15 precincts to claim the GOP nomination. Crowell will face Democrat Tom Neumeyer, who was unopposed in the primary, in November's general election.

With the primary behind him, Crowell said he will immediately begin concentrating on November.

"I will wake up tomorrow and continue to keep campaigning about the issues and working to make Cape Girardeau and Missouri in general a better place to try to raise a family and live and work," Crowell said.

Rounding out the GOP field were City Councilman Jay Purcell, who claimed 26.6 percent of the vote, and businessman Stan Wicks, who garnered 10.4 percent.

Crowell claimed more than twice as many votes -- 1,876 -- as Purcell, who had 793. There were 309 votes cast for Wicks. Neumeyer garnered 769 votes on the Democratic side.

Crowell said he will work to resolve any splits that developed among district Republicans and hopes supporters of Purcell and Wicks will rally behind him in the general election.

"They both worked very hard ," Crowell said of his opponents. "They ran honorable campaigns."

The feisty campaigning seen in recent weeks had been rare during the nearly two decades Republican Rep. Mary Kasten held the seat. Kasten is retiring at the end of her current term.

Purcell, who thanked his supporters and family for their efforts, said money played a dominant factor in the race.

"We worked extremely hard and waged an honorable campaign," Purcell said. "But anytime you are outspent two to one, it is an uphill battle."

Through July, Crowell had spent more than $36,000 on his campaign, dwarfing Purcell's $13,000 in expenditures. Wicks had spent only about $3,300, most of which came out of his own pocket.

Purcell also took a shot at some of the behind-the-scenes tactics and rumor spreading that took place.

"I think Cape Girardeau residents expect and deserve better from their elected officials," Purcell said.

Though also disappointed with the outcome, Wicks remained proud of his first run for public office.

"We ran the best race we could," Wicks said. "I just want to tell all my supporters, thanks a lot. I'll continue to work to improve things in the city from right where I'm at."

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