KASTEN RETAINS SEAT IN MISSOURI HOUSE

State Rep. Mary Kasten held off a Democratic challenger Tuesday to claim a seventh term in the Missouri House of Representatives by a wide margin.

Kasten easily defeated Melinda (Benton) McCulley by 7,953 to 3,884 votes.

Kasten, who had not been opposed since 1986, carried every ward in the 158th District. The district includes most of the city of Cape Girardeau.

"I am very excited and very pleased," Kasten said at a Republican victory party at Holiday Inn. "I am ready to go back to Jefferson City and work even harder for the people of this district.

"I am deeply gratified by the overwhelming vote of confidence shown in me."

In other area legislative races, Democrat Joe Heckemeyer of Sikeston won an open seat in the 160th District, and Republican Pat Naeger of Perryville won an open seat in the 155th District.

Heckemeyer defeated Josh Bill by a margin of 5,357 to 4,566 to capture the seat being vacated after 14 years by Democrat Dennis Ziegenhorn of Sikeston.

In the 155th District that includes Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties, Naeger easily defeated Democrat Thomas F. Schaaf of Ste. Genevieve, 6,153 to 4,259.

Democrat Herb Fallert of Ste. Genevieve did not seek a seventh term in that district.

In two other area legislative races, two Republicans held off challenges for new terms.

Rep. Bill Foster of Poplar Bluff defeated Democrat Marvin E. Bowles of Piedmont 6,725 to 4,258 in the 156th District.

The district includes Wayne County, part of Ripley and Butler counties, and a large part of Bollinger County, including Marble Hill and Zalma.

In the 106th District, two-term Republican Rep. James Graham of Fredericktown sailed past Democrat Don Weiland.

With 87 percent of the precincts reporting, Graham had 5,820 votes to 2,515 for Weiland.

The 106th District includes a small part of Bollinger County, all of Madison County, and a large part of southern St. Francois County, including the city of Farmington.

Six area legislators were elected to new terms Tuesday night without opposition.

They include: David Schwab, R-Jackson, 157th District; Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, 154th District; Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, 159th District; Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, 161st District; Donald Prost, D-Caruthersville, 162nd District; and Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, 163rd District.

In the 20th Senate District, Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, won a fourth term by a big margin over Republican Louise Falch.