Lohr becomes Jackson's first female mayor

Alderwoman Barbara Lohr eked out a narrow victory Tuesday to become Jackson's first woman mayor, besting fellow Alderman David Reiminger by 81 votes.

Lohr won despite a late charge from Reiminger's camp questioning her ethics on a recent controversial board vote.

She called for reconciliation during a brief speech to about 80 people gathered at a Jackson banquet hall for her election party. "Everybody who supported me took the high ground," Lohr said. "In spite of the cheap shot of the past few days, we have got to put it behind us."

Lohr took three of Jackson's four precincts, losing only in Ward 2, which Reiminger represents on the board. Write-in candidate John Graham ran well behind the leaders. In all, Lohr received 1,120 votes to 1,039 for Reiminger. Voting machines recorded 154 write-in votes, but it was unclear if all were cast for Graham.

Reiminger, who has 1 year remaining on his current aldermanic term, said he can work with Lohr. "We'll go back to doing the right things. We still need to uphold our ordinances. We still need to do the right things."

Despite the poor showing, Graham said he will definitely be a candidate in 2009.

Log on to our Election 07 blog to weigh in on the results. Read Wednesday's Southeast Missourian for more details about this race and others from around the region.

JACKSON FINAL

MAYORAL

Barbara Lohr 1120

David Reiminger 1039

John Graham 154