Gerald Jones re-elected presiding commissioner

JACKSON, Mo. -- Gerald Jones easily defeated challenger Doug Flannery on Tuesday in his bid to win re-election to a third term as Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

Jones, a Jackson newspaper publisher, defeated Flannery by a vote of 6,432 to 2,901 in the Republican primary, taking nearly 69 percent of the vote. The win assures his re-election because he faces no opposition in the November election.

Jones has served as presiding commissioner for the past eight years.

Flannery didn't actively campaign for the job. He ran no ads and didn't erect any yard signs. Jones advertised heavily in the weeks leading up to the election.

Jones said he carried all but four precincts in the county.

"I am, of course, quite happy," he said.

Jones said his opponent did well considering he didn't campaign.

Flannery wasn't surprised by the outcome. "There are more people in town than there are here," said Flannery, who lives in the Crump, Mo., area. "Let's face it. I can't carry Cape and Jackson."