VOTER TURNOUT RELATIVELY GOOD IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTIES

About 50 percent of the voters in the Southern Illinois counties of Pulaski, Alexander and Union turned out to vote in Tuesday's primary elections.

In Pulaski County, the incumbents generally fared well. With all the precincts reporting, Circuit Clerk Randy George, an incumbent, won the primary over his challenger, LaVerne Anderson, by a count of 521-437.

In the Democratic primary for Sheriff, incumbent Gene Dixon of Olmstead also got the nod with 891 votes. Lloyd Bosecker of Villa Ridge trailed with 603 votes.

Dixon will face Republican Russell Dakin, a former Pulaski County Sheriff, who defeated Deon Peck of Karnak by a vote of 491-426 in the GOP run-off.

In the race for Pulaski County Commissioner, Democrat John Price will face Republican Jerry P. Thurston in the November general election.

Price edged Eddie Chase Madison 583-567. Other Democratic candidates included Dallas Jackson, 480 votes; Curtis Marshall, 391; Gary J. Stevens, 167; and Delbert Wayne Kerley, 90.

In the Republican primary, Thurston garnered 649 votes to oust incumbent Travis Rose Jr., who tallied 566. Craig Rose finished with 274 votes.

For Pulaski County Treasurer, Venita Hancock won the Democratic nomination with 921 votes to Carl Meyer's 254.

The Pulaski County Clerk's office reported about a 50 percent voter turnout in the election.

In Alexander County, with 13 of 19 precincts reporting, Chuck Bonifield of Miller City held a firm lead in the field of seven Democratic candidates for County Commissioner with 801 votes. The top two finishers will go on to the November general election.

James R. Wissinger of Cairo had 590 votes; incumbent Gene Farris of Olive Branch had 544 votes; incumbent Louis Maze of Olive Branch had 524 votes; William B. Miller of Cairo had 209 votes; Jack Sneed of Cairo had 186; and George Schultz of Cairo had 102.

In the Alexander County Sheriff's race, incumbent Democrat Buddy Mitchell appeared well on his way to winning the primary with 1,023 votes, compared to 562 for Harold McNelly of Thebes, and 226 for John Grayson of Unity.

The Alexander County Clerk's office also reported about 50 percent voter turnout. A spokesman said several polling places ran out of ballots during the day and had to be restocked for the unexpectedly high volume of voters.

In Union County, with 75 percent of precincts reporting, the race between Democratic candidates for County Commission Position A was in a virtual dead heat, with 1,046 votes for incumbent Wayne "Doc" Manus of Anna, and 1,061 votes for Darryl Harvell of Jonesboro.

Other county commission seats were unopposed.

In the Democratic primary for Sheriff, incumbent Robin A. Dillon of Anna trailed challenger Harlen Coffman of Jonesboro by a vote of 1,267-1,010.

Union County voting officials reported about a 40 percent voter turnout Tuesday.