JORDAN DEFEATS HINTON IN COUNTY SHERIFF'S RACE

JACKSON -- In a hotly contested race for Cape Girardeau County sheriff, Republican John Jordan claimed 53.5 percent of the vote to defeat Benny Hinton Tuesday.

In two other county races where incumbent Democrats were challenged, County Clerk Rodney Miller scored an overwhelming victory, and Recorder of Deeds Janet Robert won a narrow victory.

Miller carried all 38 precincts in Cape County, including several traditional Republican precincts that no other Democrats won. Miller, seeking a fifth term as clerk, piled up 65 percent of the vote against Republican Laura Beggs.

Robert started the evening trailing Republican challenger Darlene Bonney but eventually pulled ahead, as Cape Girardeau wards gave her a slight advantage. At times, Robert and Bonney were single digits apart.

Robert, who became recorder in 1977, finished with just under 51 percent of the vote. She won by 437 votes.

Jordan led Hinton as the first returns started coming in from the city of Jackson. The lead continued throughout the evening. Jordan pulled out a 12,885 to 11,206 vote advantage.

Jordan, who is a lieutenant in the sheriff's department, was endorsed by former Sheriff Norman Copeland who resigned Aug. 1. Copeland campaigned on behalf of the 33-year old Jordan.

His opponenent, Hinton, recently retired after 29 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Hinton was supported by Interim Sheriff Leonard Hines, who served as Copeland's chief deputy.

Jordan likely will be sworn in as next week and will serve the remainder of Copeland's term that expires Dec. 31, 1996.

Tuesday's election drew 70 percent of Cape County's nearly 36,000 registered voters to the polls, which could be a record for a non-presidential general election.

Miller said in some precincts, turnout was as high as 80 percent.

With an unusually high number of local races that included races for five county offices, three judgeships and a legislative race, the basement of the county administration building was packed Tuesday night as candidates, their friends and relatives gathered for the first results.

As each precinct came in, a computer printout was posted on a bulletin board, drawing the attention of most of the anxious crowd.

To ease the crowding, Missouri Appeals Court Judge Stanley Grimm stepped forward to read the returns for each precinct for local candidates. In many of the precincts, the first name he read was his son's, Circuit Judge John Grimm, who was in a close race against Republican Ben Lewis.

Robert's family and friends nervously monitored returns for recorder. Bonney was not at the administration building.

Jordan monitored returns elsewhere, although Copeland was on hand until it became apparent Jordan would win. Hinton made a brief appearance.

Miller, who as the chief election authority of the county was processing ballots, was too busy to worry.

But once the final votes were tallied, Miller proudly pointed out that he carried every precinct.

All of the constitutional amendments and statewide propositions carried Cape County, except for Amendment 7, which was defeated 16,614 to 7,708. Amendment 6 narrowly passed, 12,308 to 12,153.

Candidates running unopposed Tuesday and their vote totals were: Collector Harold Kuehle 20,372; Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, 20,144; Auditor H. Weldon Macke, 19,936; Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, 19,449; and Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson, 18,971.

State Rep. David Schwab, running without opposition in the 157th district, received 10,135 votes in the county.