NEW MADRID COMMISSIONER RE-ELECTED

NEW MADRID -- Presiding Commissioner Jay Blankenship of Kewanee won the New Madrid Democratic primary over Robert Cook 2,015 to 1,499 in Tuesday. Donnie Westmoreland of Lilbourn got 636 votes.

For 1st District Commissioner, Robert B. Hedgepeth of New Madrid defeated incumbent Jim Cravens of New Madrid, 1,019 to 886, in the Democratic primary. Gordon J. Powell of Morehouse received 131 votes.

For county treasurer, Tom Bradley of Matthews held off Louise M. Essary of Portageville by 977 to 910 in the Democratic primary. Ginger Philips DeLisle followed with 762 votes and Steve Riley got 750. William "Ernie" Long of New Madrid got 549 and Delma L. Edgar of Portageville got 299 votes.

For 2nd District commissioner, Sam Pikey of Conran emerged victorious in the Democratic primary with 627 votes. Bob Carlisle of Portageville got 540 votes and Don Rone Jr. of Portageville 325. W.J. Houser got 265, Dick Twitty of Lilbourn 245, and Arthur Duncan of Gideon 223. Jim Beis, the lone Republican candidate, received 24 votes.

In the 8th District congressional race, Thad Bullock won with 1,125 votes. Jay Thompson got 1,068, Gene Curtis 953, and Don Hager 256.

The statewide bond issue vote in New Madrid County was 2,006 for and 1,924 against.