NAEGER KEEPS 155TH EASILY

Perry and Ste. Genevieve county voters will send Rep. Patrick Naeger back to Jefferson City for third term in the General Assembly.

Naeger, a Perryville Republican, captured 61.8 percent of the total vote Tuesday to retain his 155th District seat. He defeated Democratic challenger Diane Edwards of Brewer 5,508-3,411.

While easily taking Perry County 3,333-1,362 for 71 percent of the vote, Naeger was surprised to eke out a narrow 51.5 percent majority in Ste. Genevieve County. He won the county 2,175-2,049.

"It was the first time I won Ste. Genevieve County, so quite frankly I am overwhelmed," Naeger said.

He said emphasis on issues over party affiliation allowed him to carry the largely Democratic county.

"The issues that are close to me are close to Ste. Genevieve Countians," Naeger said. "I've developed a good relationship with them over the past four years."

In the next session of the legislature, Naeger will work to reduce the state income tax. It is nonsensical, he said, for the state to continue collecting more money than constitutionally allowed under the Hancock Amendment and refunding the overage to taxpayers as it has the past two years.