DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS RE-ELECT CHAIRMEN

JACKSON -- The Cape Girardeau County Republican and Democratic party central committees re-elected chairmen Tuesday night at reorganization meetings in Jackson.

Republicans elected Stephen C. Wilson, a Jackson lawyer, to serve a two-year term as chairman. Democrats chose Rick Althaus, a political science professor at Southeast Missouri State University, to serve another term.

State law requires county party central committees to meet Tuesday, two weeks after the Aug. 2 primary election, to elect officers.

Wilson, who was elected about one year ago to fill a vacancy after the death of Ralph Ford, said he looked forward to a busy fall campaign for Republicans.

"We've got so many races going it shouldn't be hard to get the troops stirred up," said Wilson. "There is no reason Republicans should not be excited and ready to work this year."

Althaus did not attend Tuesday's Democratic meeting because he was on a trip out of the country, but Vice Chairman Nelda Ruth Hinton told the group that Althaus wished to serve another term.

Hinton was re-elected vice chairman and David Seabaugh treasurer; Lacretia Drum was elected secretary.

Only one candidate was nominated for each office.

On the Republican side, Peggy Nelson won a new term as vice chairman and Candace Swingle was re-elected secretary.

Since he received the Republican nomination for sheriff recently, John Jordon did not seek a new term as treasurer. The committee turned to Mike Kasten of Jackson to fill that position. Jeff Dix was elected assistant treasurer.

Party committees also elected 157th and 158th district legislative committee chairmen and vice chairmen, who will serve as members of the 27th Senatorial District and the 8th Congressional District committees.

On the Democratic side, Earl James was elected chairman and Drum vice chairman of the 157th District Committee. In the 158th District, Todd McBride was elected chairman and Shirley Hartle vice chairman.

Loretta Schneider was elected chairman of the 158th District Republican Committee and Vance Combs was elected vice chairman. The committee also elected Swingle secretary and John Schneider treasurer.

The Republican 157th District Committee will meet tonight to elect officers.

Both committees also filled some vacancies and discussed plans for opening campaign headquarters and upcoming rallies.

Senatorial district and congressional district committees will meet later this month.