Purcell, Bock win Republican county commissioner primaries

If this election had been held a year ago, they might still be counting hanging chads.

But Cape Girardeau County's new optical-scan voting system definitively verified that Jay Purcell beat Dan Niswonger by 29 votes, or slightly less than half a percentage point, Tuesday in what turned out to be a head-to-head battle in a nine-candidate field for Cape Girardeau County Commissioner in District 2.

In the District 1 race, incumbent Larry Bock surprised many by his margin of victory. Few were surprised that he won the race, but many expected a closer contest between him and Richard Rushin. Bock collected 32 percent of the votes, followed by Rushin with 19 and Robert Cox with 12.

But the excitement in the shoulder-to-shoulder basement of the county administrative building Tuesday night centered on the District 2 race between Purcell and Niswonger.

Niswonger, a disabled former police officer, was the clear underdog. He accepted no campaign contributions and spent $3,100 of his own money on his campaign.

Purcell, according to the last contribution report, raised $7,200. His television commercials aired frequently on cable channels. He has wide name recognition from his post as a city councilman.

The turnout hinged on the 18th precinct at Fellowship Baptist Church on Koch Street -- which had the last votes to be posted. Before the votes were posted, Niswonger was winning 1,222 to 1,219. He had led throughout as county officials posted tallies on the bulletin board.

Purcell said he wasn't surprised by the close race.

"Cape Girardeau is so fortunate to have this many candidates," Purcell said in a telephone interview. "Mr. Niswonger is a good gentleman, and the community owes him a great debt of gratitude. In fact, if I'm elected, one of the first things I'd like to do is work him into the scheme of the county government."

Niswonger took the narrow loss with a smile and several handshakes. He didn't look like a loser after the final votes were counted and didn't view himself as one, either.

"I was preparing myself for a letdown," he said. "It's like a baseball game. Sometimes that ninth inning is tough. Playing Monday morning quarterback, I wish I would have worked just a bit harder to get an extra 30 votes, but I'm proud."

The closeness of the election gives Niswonger the right to ask for a recount, but he said he would not. He did say he probably will run for presiding commissioner in two years.

Many expected the race to be closer among several other candidates, particularly businesswoman and active Republican Kathy Swan, prominent businessman and banker Bill Stanfield and Barry Hovis, a police officer. But Hovis finished about 300 votes back with 15 percent of the vote, Swan got 14 percent and Stanfield came in fifth at 12 percent.

Purcell will face Democrat James Bowers in the general election.

Bock's growing lead

In the District 1 race, the votes were never that close as Bock's lead grew throughout the night.

Incumbents traditionally have the advantage in political races and this one was no different, especially since there were so many other candidates to split up the votes.

"We didn't have one iota of a clue of what to expect," Bock said after the final results were posted. "We've worked since mid-June, meeting people, knocking on doors. I think I got support from the people who think I'm doing a good job. With nine of us, I feel good about the percentage. It gives me a good vote of confidence."

Rushin said the result was disappointing, but the experience was rewarding.

"We worked hard, but the vote was split up tremendously, more than I thought it would be," Rushin said. "But I enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones. I hope some of the ideas that were brought up by the candidates are looked at by the commission."

Bock will face Democrat Fred Wilkinson in November.

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635