MYERS WINS UPSET OVER HECKEMEYER

BENTON -- Voters in the 160th legislative district cast their ballots for change Tuesday when they opted for the Republican challenger over the Democratic incumbent in a very close electoral contest.

Republican Peter Myers of Sikeston narrowly defeated incumbent Democratic representative Joe Heckemeyer, also of Sikeston, by less than 100 votes.

Heckemeyer proved correct in his prediction from last week that the race would be close, but erred in his forecast that he would be the victor.

Of the 9,264 votes cast, Myers won 4,678 votes (50.5 percent) to Heckemeyer's 4,586 votes (49.5 percent), a margin of 92 votes.

Reached at the Scott County courthouse just after he learned of his victory, Myers said that while he always expected to win, the election totals were the result of a lot of hard work.

"I want to give the good Lord all the credit and a lot of good volunteers," Myers said. "This is a victory for a lot of people who worked hard."

The district, which includes sections of Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties, saw all three counties giving a slight majority of votes to Myers.

In Scott County, Heckemeyer received 4,248 votes and Myers 4,310. In Mississippi County, Myers won by just four votes, winning 219 votes to Heckemeyer's 215.

Only in New Madrid County was the percentage of victory for Myers more than one percent, with Myers garnering 149 votes (55 percent) to 123 votes (45 percent) for Heckemeyer.

Myers attributed his victory to a desire by the people in the district for a change, specifically their desire for less taxes and an end to partial birth abortions in the state.

"The people showed they will vote for a qualified candidate," he said.

A disappointed Heckemeyer blamed his loss on soft money and negative campaigning which he said cheat the people.

"I'm a bit bewildered by politics in Southeast Missouri," he said. "I'm very concerned whether money can buy a state representative position."

He added that he does not plan on running again for the legislative seat he just lost, but did not rule out running for higher office, perhaps the state senate.