Swan sweeps into another term in District 147

On Tuesday, Republican Kathy Swan defeated Democrat Gary Gaines and Libertarian Greg Tlapek in her run for re-election in the 147th House District.

"[I'm feeling] thankful, so thankful for the voters sending me back to Jefferson City and for them having the confidence in me to continue representing them," Swan said.

Kathy Swan

Swan won the election with 69 percent of the vote, with 5,214 ballots cast in her favor. Coming in second with 1,675 votes was Gaines and last was Tlapek with 615.

Swan mentioned a variety of bills she plans to pursue, including online learning for students to better prepare them in the workforce, providing proper health care, licensing musical therapists and providing birth records for adoptees, among many others.

She added these are long-term goals that require research and getting proper parties to come together and agree on a plan of action.

"In a nutshell, I ultimately want to remove obstacles in health care, schools and business ... creating a healthier workforce so we can provide for our families," she said.

In the 145th District, Shelley Keeney won easily over challenger Charles Elrod 2,447 to 567. The new session that will begin in January will be Keeney's last because of term limits.

Shelley Keeney

Keeney was on her way to Jefferson City when contacted about her victory over Elrod, her first opponent since she ran for office in 2008.

"When you have an opponent, you always worry a little," she said.

Once the count was final, Keeney said she felt "Excited. Overwhelmed. Tired. Relieved. Wow, there's a lot of emotions going on right now."

Competition was a little more fierce in the 149th district. Local farmer and businessman Don Rone came out on top as the state representative of the district.

Rone was competing against longtime politician and Democrat Bill Burlison. This is Burlison's third consecutive loss, but his first in a new district.

In 2008 and 2010, he made unsuccessful bids for the 159th House District seat against Billy Pat Wright, a Republican.

Rone won with 57.8 percent of the vote, which was 3,801 votes out of 6,569. His highest supporters Tuesday came from New Madrid County, where 2,334 of 3,687 votes were in Rone's favor.

Rone is a Portagville, Missouri, native and is replacing former Democrat Steve Hodges.

"I'm incredibly humbled by the support and encouragement I've received over the past several months," Rone said in a news release. "I see it as a privilege and a great responsibility to represent the Bootheel community in Jefferson City. My most important job will be serving the people of the 149th District, answering their questions, and working to make our state government responsive to the people."

Rone served as an alderman and mayor in Portageville and also as the New Madrid County public administrator, according to his website. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, a member of Delta Wildlife and National Wild Turkey Federation, a 32nd-degree Mason and served on the University of Missouri Delta Center Advisory Board for 30 years.

Tila Rowland-Hubrecht of Dexter, Missouri, will remain in the 151st district seat after her second win over Ryan Holder Tuesday.

Hubrecht won with 70 percent of the vote, and she has been serving in the House seat since replacing Dennis Fowler in the special elections in August.

Fowler gave up his seat to join the state Board of Probation and Parole in 2013. However, this was never confirmed by the Senate.

Hubrecht received 64 percent of the vote in the special election against Democrat Holder. In 2012 Holder lost the general election to Fowler as well.

Linda Redeffer of the Banner Press contributed to this story.

smaue@semissourian.com

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