Most Cape offices go to GOP

By 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, a line had already formed to vote outside the locked door of the courthouse. By 7 a.m., they were still standing outside the American Legion hall waiting to cast their votes. All through the morning, long lines. Waits up to 45 minutes long.

Despite the increased interest in politics, the results were more of the same for Cape Girardeau County. The local Republicans won in a washout. Not even Democratic incumbent Coroner Mike Hurst stood a chance against the local Republican machine.

Republicans claimed both county commission seats and the treasurer spot, public administrator and coroner seats. The only local Democratic victory was Jerry Reynolds, who ran uncontested for assessor.

And the races weren't close.

County commission candidates Larry Bock and Jay Purcell as well as public administrator Phyllis Schwab all took 63 percent of the votes. Roger Hudson claimed 71 percent of the vote for treasurer, and John Clifton won 55 percent of the vote for coroner.

Of the county voters who voted straight tickets, 62 percent voted Republican.

As far as the overall turnout, 34,712 Cape Girardeau County registered voters made it to the polls. Some waited in line 45 minutes at the busiest precincts. The number was the highest turnout in history for the county. However, the percentage of registered voters, 70.55, was not a record.

"I've worked elections for 40 years," election judge Pat Abernathy said. "I expected it to be busy, but not like this."

It was clear that two powerful men in Washington, D.C., compelled the citizens of the nation to visit the polls in droves.

And that, several candidates said, was a big help to the local Republican party.

Hurst was appointed to the office by a Democratic governor. In the last four years, he said, he raised the standards of the office, educating the area hospitals and nursing homes on laws dealing with reporting death. Clifton, his opponent, was a deputy coroner before Hurst took office.

"I guess the voters wanted to go back like it was four years before I took it," Hurst said. "I think 90 percent of it is the sheer number of Republicans voting a straight ticket. Apparently the high turnout hurt, and the reason it hurt was because of the number of Republicans not knowing what issues were there or who they were voting for."

Clifton didn't know if the high turnout helped or hurt him.

"Of course I'm extremely happy," he said. "The voters have spoken."

Jay Purcell, who has been through the rigors of several races -- one for state representative, four for city council, a county commission primary and general election -- said the Republicans benefited locally from the presidential race.

"I think without a doubt the fine job that President Bush has done has helped the entire Republican party," he said. "I think that goes without saying."

Of all the local contests, the coroner and public administrator races were the hottest races going.

Deborah McBride, the first black candidate to win a county primary in Cape Girardeau County, applied some pressure, getting support from people who were unsatisfied with the work of the incumbent, Phyllis Schwab.

"I'm just grateful for the support," Schwab said. "There were a lot of things going around. I care so much for my wards. I think the campaign brought out some awareness. You think you are doing the best job you can do, and sometimes there are negative things you don't know about because people don't say anything. You're not going to make everybody happy. That's just the type of job it is."

'We opened some eyes'

McBride said the campaign wasn't a complete loss.

"I think we opened some eyes about the importance of the job," she said. "We'll keep shining light into the office. I would like to think that voters didn't vote for her just because she's a Republican, but I kind of think that's it."

Bock and Purcell each fought off a total of nine candidates each -- including eight in the primary -- to finally grab the spot Tuesday night.

"There's a lot of folks out there who like what I'm doing," Bock said. "I do the best I can possibly do. There's so many things to do, especially for the county roads, that we don't have the money for. But we do the best we can."

Purcell will replace Joe Gambill, who decided not to run again.

"I'm just truly honored by the trust the citizens have placed in me," Purcell said. "I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

Regina Rhymer-Hall, 48, voted for the first time Tuesday.

"I just have never been very political," she said. "But I voted this year because of the events that have taken place the last four years that touched every one of us. I felt this year it was important. Actually, I feel kind of powerful."

County Clerk Rodney Miller said there were a few glitches that were easily taken care of. And he said the voters, although they had to stand in line, were patient and courteous.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635