ZIEGENHORN BEATS AMICK IN HOUSE RACE

BENTON -- State Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn narrowly won re-election to a seventh term Tuesday, defeating fellow Democratic lawmaker Ollie Amick of Benton.

Ziegenhorn won by 133 votes in a Democratic primary race for the 160th House seat that pitted two incumbents against each other due to redistricting. Ziegenhorn received 3,720 votes to 3,587 for Amick.

Ziegenhorn garnered 3,446 votes in Scott County to 3,291 for Amick. The Sikeston Democrat also carried the small section of New Madrid County, 76 votes to 61 for Amick. Amick won in the Bertrand area in Mississippi County by a vote of 235 to 198.

The Sikeston Democrat is assured election in November because there's no Republican opposition.

But Ziegenhorn, 44, expressed disappointment that he didn't win by a wider margin.

"I am glad it is over. I am a little disappointed in all the hard work we have done. It looks to me like we didn't get what we expected," he said late Tuesday night.

The 72-year-old Amick carried the northern section of Scott County and a small section of Mississippi County.

Ziegenhorn carried the Sikeston area, including the part of the district in New Madrid County.

"Sikeston carried me," he said. "If it hadn't been for Sikeston, I would be back selling real estate.

"I am a little bit disappointed. When you bust your tail for 12 years and you get the kind of turnout you get, it is a little bit disappointing," he said.

"I think it showed that people don't appreciate what you do," he said.

The race was too close to call throughout much of the night. "I didn't know if I would be the winner or loser," he said.

Amick spent much of the night at the Scott County courthouse watching the race unfold.

Despite losing, Amick said he was pleased by his showing in a district that he said was weighted in Ziegenhorn's favor.

"I'm happy with it," said Amick as the final election returns rolled in.

He said he had been an underdog in the race from the beginning.

As a result of redistricting, Amick wound up with about a third of his old district in the new 160th, with the rest of the district comprised basically of the Sikeston area, Ziegenhorn's home turf.

Amick changed his residence from Scott City to Benton so he would be in the new district.

A retired funeral home operator, Amick first won is House seat in 1988 after two previous unsuccessful attempts.

Asked if he would consider running for office again, Amick replied, "This is not a time to think of something in the future."