Election wrap-up

Tuesday was a big election day for local races in Cape Girardeau County.

In the hotly contested 27th Senate District GOP primary, Wayne Wallingford defeated Ellen Brandom. In the three-man race for Cape Girardeau County District 2 Commissioner, Charlie Herbst won over current Commissioner Jay Purcell and Maurice "Moe" Sandfort. And Lisa Reitzel won the GOP primary for public administrator, defeating 12 other Republican candidates.

There were several other races that folks were watching, including congressional and statewide contests. We appreciate each person who followed our election coverage Tuesday night at semissourian.com or participated in our live blog. Thanks also to the many readers who submitted Paid Election Letters leading up to the election.

With so many local candidates on the ballot for the primary election it's no surprise that turnout was up. Turnout reached 30.31 percent Tuesday, much higher than the statewide mark of 23 percent. In the primary in 2010, 29.27 percent of registered voters turned out in Cape Girardeau County. In August 2008, 24.03 percent voted. It's good to see increased interest in voting.

To all those who made the effort to research the candidates and vote, we say thank you. We also offer a special word of thanks to the election judges.

Finally, thanks to all the candidates. Several who won their primary Tuesday will not face opponents in November. To you we offer our congratulations. There are a number of races still to be decided in the general election, and we look forward to following these contests.

To the candidates not successful Tuesday, you also have our admiration. It takes a great deal of courage -- and the support of family and friends -- to run for office. Your willingness to put yourself forward as a candidate is appreciated.

If you are not yet registered to vote, the deadline to do so for the November general election is Oct. 10.