Schaaf wins fourth term in Perry Co.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Incumbent sheriff Gary Schaaf easily won a fourth term by defeating his Democratic opponent Joseph McAtee with 75.6 percent of the votes.

According to unofficial totals from Perry County Clerk Randy Taylor, Schaaf captured 6,149 votes; McAtee, 1,981.

"I'm feeling pretty good," Schaaf said Tuesday night. "I think it's as much a referendum of how I've been doing my job as it is how my people are doing the job.

"I try to maintain a competent staff, somebody who fits in well with the community. I think this has been a good vote of confidence."

Schaaf said he plans to continue doing the job as usual.

"We always give 110 percent here," he said.

The sheriff said he received figures Tuesday that show drug arrests in Perry County are up. To date, the sheriff's department has solved 178 burglaries; this time last year, he said, there were only 98 solved burglaries.

"And last year was a high mark," he said. "We never made that many before. Things are popping along good here."