Cruz, Sanders win in Cape Girardeau County; Trump, Clinton win in other area counties

Sen. Ted Cruz beat Donald Trump in Cape Girardeau County, while Trump narrowly defeated Cruz in Scott, Perry and Bollinger counties in the Republican primary Tuesday night.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton defeated Bernie Sanders in that party’s presidential contest in Scott and Bollinger counties. But Sanders, an avowed democratic socialist, won in Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. In Perry County, Sanders beat Clinton by one vote, 437 to 436.

In Cape Girardeau County, Sanders defeated Clinton by a vote of 2,335 to 2,076.

Cruz, who held a rally at Southeast Missouri State University’s Academic Hall in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, garnered 7,332 votes in Cape Girardeau County to 6,137 votes for Trump. Ohio Gov. John Kasich received 1,245 votes, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio had 694 votes.

Nearly 40 percent of the county’s registered voters went to the polls. Republican ballots accounted for nearly 78 percent of the votes, election results show.

In Scott County, Trump garnered 3,373 votes to 2,653 for Cruz. Kasich picked up 390 votes, while Rubio had 248 votes.

On the Democratic side in Scott County, Hillary Clinton beat Bernie Sanders, 1,067 votes to 834. More than 34 percent of Scott County’s voters went to the polls.

In Bollinger County, Trump beat out Cruz by 161 votes, 1,272 to 1,111. Kasich had 141 votes and Rubio collected 98 votes. More than 38 percent of Bollinger County voters cast ballots.

The election marked the first use of Bollinger County’s new voting equipment.

“It went great,” said County Clerk Brittany Hovis, adding the system provided a fast, accurate count.

Perry County voters chose Trump over Cruz by 31 votes in the GOP primary. The billionaire businessman collected 1,561 votes to 1,530 for Cruz.

Kasich received 291 votes to 196 for Rubio.

More than 37 percent of Perry County’s voters went to the polls with the vast majority of them voting for GOP presidential candidates.

Earlier in the day, Cape Girardeau County election judges reported a steady turnout at the polls.

At the Jackson Elks Lodge, more than 800 voters in the Byrd 3 and 4 precincts had cast ballots before noon. Election judge Pat Abernathy, who has worked in polling places for over 50 years, called turnout “very good.”

Voters lined up before polls opened at 6 a.m. at the Jackson Junior High School. About 600 of the 3,421 voters in Byrd 5 and 6 precincts cast ballots by midday.

Steady turnout also was reported at polling places in Cape Girardeau.

More than 600 people voted at La Croix United Methodist Church by early afternoon. The precinct has more than 2,400 voters.

At the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau, more than 1,000 people had voted by midday in the two polling places on the arena floor combined.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Kara Clark Summers said the weather helped draw people to the polls.

Greg Yielding voted for Trump before spending his lunch hour holding up a Trump sign at the corner of Main and Hope streets in Jackson.

“I believe it is what the Republican Party needs and what this country needs,” Yielding said, adding he views Trump as a conservative.

Yielding said he likes Trump’s business background.

He defended Trump against those who feel his rhetoric has sparked violent protests at political rallies.

“He is not the problem at all,” he said.

At the Arena Building, Vicki Voszler voted for Trump.

“I think we need a shake-up in the government,” she said.

Ken Snyder voted for Kasich in the GOP contest. “I like the man,” he said upon leaving the Arena Building, insisting that was enough reason to vote for the Ohio governor.

Ray Charles voted for Sanders because he said the candidate wants to help the working man.

“I support him for that free education,” he said, referring to Sanders’ plan to allow people to go to college free of charge.

But at the Kingshighway entrance to Arena Park, voter Cheri Adcock held up a sign supporting Cruz. She said she supported Cruz because he is a “true, Christian conservative.”

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Suite 301, Jackson, Mo.

210 N West Lane, Jackson, Mo.

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO