Incumbent Rick Walter, Wes Drury win primaries in Scott County sheriff's race

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter and investigator Wes Drury won their respective party primary elections for Scott County Sheriff on Tuesday, receiving more than 60 percent of the vote.

Walter received 1,575 votes, of 63 percent of the vote, besting challenger and SEMO Drug Task Force officer Ron Meredith, with 904 votes, in the Democratic primary.

Drury received 2,750 votes, or 61 percent, to defeat former Scott County Sheriff’s Department captain Gregg Ourth in the Republican primary.

Walter has served as Scott County Sheriff for the past 12 years.

Drury ran for Scott County sheriff in 2004 and 2008 and has been an investigator with the Scott County prosecuting attorney’s office for 21 years.

Drury and Walter squared off in 2004 in what resulted in a 53 percent to 47 percent victory for Walter.

The 2008 vote was more lopsided.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received,” Drury said Tuesday. “I think the people of Scott County want a change.”

More Republicans voted — 4,406 — than Democrats, with 2,479.

Drury dismissed the advantage in the number of voters by party because locally, people vote for the person rather than the party, he said.

Drury said he feels he is the best candidate for the job because of his training and experience as an emergency medical technician, arson investigator and law-enforcement officer.

“I have a healthy working relationship in all of those fields,” Drury said. “I think it takes all those fields to make a well-rounded sheriff.”

Walter could not be reached for comment.

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