DEMOCRATS WIN BACK 163RD SEAT VACATED BY THOMASON

KENNETT -- Democrats won back the 163rd House seat vacated by longtime legislator Larry Thomason of Kennett. This was one of only 15 open House seats that was targeted by both parties.

Dunklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Phillip Britt of Kennett won the seat over Republican Judy Wallace, owner of Heartland Town and Country Realty in Malden.

Britt won by 664 votes. He gathered 4,189 votes in parts of Butler, Dunklin, New Madrid and Stoddard counties that constitute the 163rd district. That compares to 3,525 votes for Wallace.

"Needless to say, I'm very excited," said Britt from his home in Kennett Tuesday night. "I was born and raised right here, I love this area and I'm very excited to get to represent it."

Britt said the fact Gov. Mel Carnahan personally campaigned for him -- going door to door in Kennett recently -- helped tremendously.

"To be honest, the Governor being here two weekends before the election personally gave me some energy I really needed and gave a lot of momentum to the campaign," he said.

Thomason had also campaigned for Britt in the district.

Thomason resigned last May -- after the filing deadline. He began his new position as executive director of the Highway Reciprocity Commission Oct. 1. Wallace had already filed for the seat, but filing was extended to allow other candidates.