Missouri House District 62 Special Election

Dismal voter turnout is expected today as Western Taney County and Eastern Stone County. Results will be posted here as the stats trickle in.

The vacancy left by Rep. Dennis Wood will send a new representative to Jefferson City for three months before the title of being the 62nd district representatives to Missouri's House will have to be defended.

Democrats are a no show. James Rynard was promoted as Stone County Democrats sacrificial cow but moved farms before the election. Unfortunately, 62nd District Dems weren't notified leaving no Democratic challenger for the seat.

Former Rep. Dennis Wood got a payraise before being ousted by term limits and appointed to the Stone County Commission leaving an unusual amount to power to the behind-the-scenes Stone County Republican players.

The 62nd Republican Primary gave some foreshadowing to what could be a heated contest come August.

New media played a substantial role in coverage as "Rumble with the Rabbi" Dr. Eukel hosted competitors for the seat - sustained by the party membership as opposed to an election.

Republican victor Nita Jane Ayres battles L:ibertarian Patty Tweedle.  Tweedle and Ayres participated in a political discussion prior to today's election hosted by Brad Belote.

Tweedle calls herself a Reagan Republican swayed to the Libertarian party by Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul.

During the debate Tweedle called for area voters to look for new tourism and industry segments that Branson could attract and called for less legislative restraints on business.

Ayres will likely be crowned for the state seat within hours.

Voter turnout will paint another story. It's expected to be at record lows. The dangerous trend seems to passing virally as Branson's City Elections are all but canceled as Presley appointees will walk into another session of Branson's Board of Alderman without challenge.

UPDATING

Branson Election Filings

Branson's first day of filings for April's elections produced three candidates:

Raeanne Presley filed for a re-election bid for Mayor

Bob Simmons and Sandra Williams both filed for Alderman Positions

Taney County Election Results - April 2008

Branson Ward I
Stan Barker 178
Write-in Votes 10

Branson Alderman Ward 2
Total Votes 283
Jack Purvis 110 38.87%
Cris Bohinc 172

Branson Alderman Ward III
Total Votes 435
Rick Davis 309
Marc L. Williams 125

Branson School District No. 4
Patty Loyd 764 (16.9%
Teresa Givens 707 (15.64%)
Ryan Pock 883 (19.53)
Roger Frieze 635 (14.05%)
Becky L. Penrod 344 (7.61)
Shane N. Smith 307 (6.79)
Karen Best 333 (7.37)
Jamille K. Twedt 147 (3.25%)
Kim Connell 399 (8.83%)

Taneyville Trustee
Total Votes 38
Mike Niner 13
Greg Robertson 18

Kirbyville Trustee
Total Votes45
Kenneth Dixon 9
Bobby Fausett 13
Darrel Cornelium 15
Write in 8

Merriam Woods Trutee
John Brushwood 36
Bill Briggs 19
Susan M McGuire 23
Ingrid Reagan 32
Greg Buresh 25

Forsyth Mayor
David L. Oliphant 326
David Altis 108

Forsyth Ward I
Missi Smith Hesketh 190
Write-in Votes 3

Forsyth Ward II
Cheryl Altis 108
Write-in Votes 12

Bull Creek Trustees
Carol Smith 4
Write - in Votes 3

Rockaway Beach Ward I
Stuart Driewer 27
Ellen Brown 33

Rockaway Beach Ward II
Carl Katschman 35
Karen Huff 5
Jerry Simms 33
Write-in Votes 1

Hollister Mayor
David Tate 132 4

Hollister Ward I
Howell Keeter 48
Write-in 2

Hollister Ward II
Write-in Votes 33

Spokane R-VII
Dwayne Bradford 1
Elliott Liabraaten 0
Clayton Cooper 1
James Harp 1

Hollister R5 Prop
Yes 244
No 74

Taney County Ambulance
John Winkert 70
Dale Sanders 209

Taneyville R2
Mike Beeler 113
Rya Culler 102
Stan Clark 59
James (JIM) Stuart 95

Forsyth R3
Kevin W. Hampton - 320
Scott Starrett - 412
Bill Stuart - 366
Keith Barker -223
Deidre McCormick 408
Write-in 6

Taney County Ambulance
John Winkert 70
Dale Sanders 209
Write in 2