FOUR WIN CONTESTED STODDARD COUNTY PRIMARIES

BLOOMFIELD -- After Tuesday's primary election, two Stoddard County Democratic winners face no competition in the general election and three others will go on to face Republicans in the November race.

Incumbent Frank Sifford of Bloomfield will retain his associate county commissioner seat after Tuesday's election. Sifford beat Sonny Newsome of Puxico for Division I commissioner with 1,230 votes to Newsome's 835 votes.

Incumbent Democratic coroner Greg Mathis of Dexter easily won his race against Democratic challenger Melvin Staggs of Dexter. Mathis got 3,537 votes to Staggs' 913.

Sifford and Mathis are unopposed by Republican opponents this fall. While their names will be on the ballot, they will automatically take office regardless of how many votes they get in the general election.

The rest of the Stoddard County Democratic winners may have won the battle, but the war will be fought against Republicans in November.

Ray Coats of Bernie will be on the ballot in November for Division II associate county commissioner after defeating his Democratic challengers Tuesday.

Coats beat Jim Smith and Robert Weathers. Coats received 1,425 votes, Smith got 507 votes and Weathers got 475 votes. Smith and Weathers are both of Dexter.

"I'm certainly pleased in the trust that the people put in me," Coats said. "I appreciate all the help I've gotten and will work now for November."

Coats faces Republican Debbie Agee.

Jody Lemmon of Dexter upset incumbent county assessor Wayne Millington of Advance. Lemmon got 1,728 votes while Millington got 1,429 votes. Democrat Terry Bates of Bloomfield got 1,397 votes.

Lemmon now will face lone Republican candidate Connie Bennett.

Democrat Shirley Carney of Dexter, the incumbent, won the treasurer's race by less than 30 votes. She received 1,694 votes to Ryan Mayo's 1,671 votes. Jim Bland of Dexter got 1,178.

Carney will face off against Republican Cissy Williams.