Kiefer wins Scott Co. commission race by landslide

Calling the race a team effort, auto mechanic Donnie Kiefer of Chaffee, Mo., captured nearly 84 percent of the vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary for commissioner of Scott County's 2nd District.

Kiefer defeated challenger Shelby "Skip" Steger of Chaffee, 2,457 to 509 votes.

"I'm overwhelmed and a little bit in awe," Kiefer said moments after learning the results. "I felt good about the race but never dreamed that I would win by this large of a margin."

Kiefer said his unsuccessful 2002 campaign for the 160th Missouri House District gave him the needed experience to win the race against Steger, who never has held public office. Kiefer's other public service experience includes time as a member of the Chaffee school board and past president of the Chaffee Police Personnel Board.

"That experience, along with the fact that I have deep roots in this area, were keys to my victory tonight," Kiefer said. "I have such a love for this area and can't wait for what lies ahead."

Steger said the margin of defeat was surprising.

"I thought the results would be much closer than they were," Steger said. "But folks I've talked to believe that I should campaign in this race in four more years."

Kiefer will face Republican Ron McCormick in the Nov. 4 general election. McCormick was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt in 2006 after Jamie Burger was elected presiding commissioner in the middle of his term as 2nd District commissioner. McCormick is the county's first Republican commissioner since Ralph Boyer, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1989.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

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