STODDARD CO. SHERIFF'S RACE TIGHT WITH 60 PERCENT COUNTED

BLOOMFIELD -- With nearly 60 percent of Stoddard County voting precincts reporting late Tuesday, incumbent Sheriff Arthur "Sug" Lee, a Republican, held a 605-vote lead over Democratic challenger Steve Fish.

With results still out from 10 of the county's 24 precincts, Lee held a 2,629-2,024 lead over Fish.

In other contested races in Stoddard County, incumbent District 1 Commission Frank Sifford, a Democrat, was holding a comfortable 1,719-959 lead over Republican Charlie Jordon.

For District 2 Commissioner, Democrat Ray Coats appeared to be well on his way to defeating Republican Mike Batchelor. Both candidates were newcomers.

For county treasurer, the clear winner appeared to be incumbent Democrat Shirley Carney. Carney held a 3,156-1,202 lead over Republican Dan Griffin.

Dexter newspaperman Terry Ernst, a Republican, trailed in the county in his race to unseat incumbent 159th District Rep. Marilyn Taylor Williams. Williams held a 2,320 - 895 lead in the county over Ernst.

In the Missouri Governor's race, Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan held a 2,503 - 2,091 lead over Republican Attorney General William Webster. For U.S. Congress, incumbent Republican Bill Emerson held a 2,923 - 1,713 lead over Democrat Thad Bullock, and for U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Christopher "Kit" Bond held a 2,643-1,907 lead over Democrat Geri Rothman-Serot.

Stoddard County voters appeared to be voting with the remainder of the state in the presidential race, favoring Democrat Bill Clinton over President George Bush by a margin of 2,392 - 1,771. Independent presidential candidate Ross Perot had 685 votes late Tuesday.

For other state offices, Democratic candidate for secretary of state, Judy Moriarity was leading a tight race against John Hancock in Stoddard County; for lieutenant governor, Republican Margaret Kelly held a slight lead over Roger Wilson; in the state treasurer's race, Democrat Bob Holden held a commanding lead over Gary Melton; and Republican David Steelman held a commanding lead over Democrat Jay Nixon.