Perry County turnout less than expected at just more than 75 percent

Perry County experienced a hearty turnout in its 19 precincts, though not quite as high as they were predicting going into Tuesday's election, county officials said.

Democratic candidate Patrick J. Heaps won 2,336 votes over Republican Tim M. Brewer's 1,733 votes in the District 1 Perry County Commission race.

While Brewer has never held a political office before, Heaps served on the commission from 2000 to 2004.

In the sheriff's race, longtime incumbent Gary Schaaf defeated challenger Ted Christisen by more than 5,000 votes.

Schaaf has served as sheriff for the past 16 years and said he hopes to continue focusing on the same things: reducing drug-related crime and cracking down on burglaries.

Republican James L. Sutterer, who also has never held a political office, ran unopposed for District 2 commissioner after defeating incumbent Edwin W. Stueve Jr. in the primary in August and received a total 3,052 votes.

Republican Charles H. Triller, running uncontested in the race for Perry County assessor, had just more than 7,000 votes, as did Republican Tammy Tarillion, who ran unopposed for public administrator.

Incumbent Democrat Coroner Herb Miller received 7,282 votes.

Republican Timothy Baer also ran unopposed for the office of surveyor.

A handful of the precincts experienced a record turnout at the polls, said Jack Lakenan at the county clerk's office.

"It wasn't tremendously overwhelming, but there was a steady stream," Lakenan said.

County Clerk Randy Taylor said he had been expecting about 9,000 voters to head to the polls, but only 8,727 turned out, a little over 75 percent.

"I was expecting more," Taylor said.