Tracy, Wissman win presiding commissioner primaries

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been changed to reflect that Pat Wissman wants to bring affordable health care to county residents, not health insurance.

Republican Clint Tracy and Democrat Pat Wissman won their parties' presiding commissioner primary elections Tuesday night. The two will compete to replace retiring Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones.

Tracy won the race with 4,888 votes. Stephen Daume received 2,475 votes, Jay Purcell received 2,389 votes, Christopher L. Hutson received 1576, Charles Brawley received 1457 votes and Doyle Parmer received 246 votes.

Tracy, a 36-year-old naval reserve officer from Cape Girardeau, has served two years as a state representative.

He said the primary was a tough race and all of the other Republican candidates were strong.

"It was hard work, but I am glad to see the outcome. We had a good plan and executed it. It all worked out," he said.

Clint Tracy

Throughout the campaign, Tracy touted his experience in the Missouri House of Representatives as one of his greatest assets. He said with his established relationships in Jefferson City, he will be able to help attract new businesses and jobs to the area.

Tracy has also said he wants to establish a good working relationship with the other two commissioners, Paul Koeper and Purcell. Purcell was also a candidate in Tuesday's Republican presiding commissioner primary. Phone calls to Purcell were not returned. At times relations among Koeper, Purcell and Jones have been tumultuous.

Tracy said Tuesday night he will work hard to win the November general election.

"It will be a challenge, but we'll work to win. I appreciate the confidence of the voters and I will work hard to live up to their expectations," he said.

Wissman won his nomination with 798 votes. Brian Thomas received 580 votes.

Wissman is a 53-year-old retired truck driver from Cape Girardeau.

On learning he had received his party's nomination, Wissman said he was still in disbelief. He was, however, impressed with the high voter turnout. With 14,959 votes cast, Cape Girardeau County had a 29.25 percent turnout. That number is higher than the statewide prediction made by the Missouri secretary of state last week.

"People are coming out in higher numbers than before. People are concerned about their county," he said.

Wissman said throughout the primary race that he would bring economic growth and affordable health care to the county's residents. He also expressed concern with what he called wasteful spending by the county.

Wissman said he would like to debate Tracy at several locations throughout the county in the months leading up to November.

"I want to get the issues out to the people," Wissman said.

Tracy said he is still celebrating his primary victory and has not given consideration to debating Wissman but that he is open to the idea.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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