Drury wins sheriff race, Ziegenhorn re-elected as commissioner in Scott County

Republican challenger Wes Drury defeated incumbent Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter with 55 percent of the vote on Tuesday.

Drury received 9,509 votes to Walter's 7,686. Walter had served as Scott County Sheriff since he was elected in 2004.

Rick Walter

"I am humbled and honored," Drury said. "I want to thank everyone that had faith in me and come Jan. 1, I'm going to work for everyone."

Drury worked as a criminal investigator for the Scott County Sheriff's office for the past 20 years and said his first priority as sheriff will be to reestablish an ethic of teamwork within the department. He said during his campaign that he also intends to move the sheriff's office into the jail building in Benton, Missouri, to keep the entire staff under one roof, conduct more comprehensive investigations and transport inmates to court on a timely basis.

Democratic incumbent Dennis Ziegenhorn was reelected as Scott County District 1 associate commissioner out of Sikeston, Missouri, defeating Republican challenger John Graham with 56 percent of the vote (4,508). Ziegenhorn has been a Scott County Commissioner since he was elected in 2008.

"I'm very happy to win again, I appreciate all my support," Ziegenhorn said. "I'll do the best that I can in the next four years as I tried to do in the past 12 years."

Drury and Ziegenhorn both marveled at the turnout in Scott County. Out of 26,291 registered voters, about 17,486 cast ballots on Tuesday.

"I figured with the presidential election it was going to be heavy but it was even more than I expected," Drury said.

Ziegenhorn said the turnout was unprecedented in his 30 years of political experience. He said usually about 15 percent of registered voters decide local elections.

"The turnout was so great that it restored my confidence in the election system in the United States," Ziegenhorn said.

Scott County voters overwhelmingly voted for Republicans Donald Trump for president with 75 percent of the vote, Eric Greitens for governor with 65 percent of the vote and Roy Blunt for U.S. Senator with 64 percent of the vote.

Second District Commissioner Donnie Kiefer, County Assessor Teresa Houchin, public administrator Julia Crader Dolan and County Coroner Scott Amick were all elected in uncontested races.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: Scott County, MO