Area Voters Speak Loud And Clear

Voters on both sides of the stateline let their voices be heard on primary election day, August 2.

What voters said was they want elected officials who are engaged with the community they are elected to serve and they want ideas where there is a plan to completion, not just ideas or empty promises.

For the first time in Jackson County history, after the November election, the Jackson County Legislature may have minorities in the majority. However, several candidates won their primaries, but will face opponents in the General election in November.

In Missouri the stage is set for a face off between Republican nominee Eric Schmitt and Democratic nominee Trudy Busch Valentine.

Schmitt was in a highly contested race between other front runners Vicky Hartzler and Eric Greitens. Schmitt won the nomination with 45 percent of the vote or 298,852 votes compared to Rep. Hartzler who received 22 percent of the vote or 144,469 votes.

Greitens, who probably would have been the easiest candidate for Democrats to beat, led most of the way in the polls. But, that lead quickly slipped away after hit ads constantly ran on television which highlighted alleged abuse that his ex-wife and children suffered during their time together which were revealed in his child custody and divorce documents. It is estimated that about $9 million was spent on those ads.

Grietens only received 18 percent of the vote or 123,982 votes.

Schmitt will face Ms. Busch Valentine who also took some negative ad hits during her campaign, but was able to prevail. She beat Marine Corp veteran Lucas Kunce by a margin of 43 percent of the vote or 158,583 votes to 38 percent of the vote or 140,953 votes.

Republican Jerry Moran who received 80 percent of the vote or 373,395 votes will face former Wyandotte County Mayor Mark Holland. Holland, the Democratic nominee received 37 percent of the vote in his race or 96,832 votes.

Former Fox 4 Morning show anchor Mark Alford is on his way to Congress after winning 35 percent of the vote or 36,537 votes.

Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, will face Jacob Turk, the Republican challenger, again in November. Cleaver

received 83 percent of the vote or 60,273 votes. Turk, who will face Rep. Cleaver for the 8th time, received 51 percent of the vote from his party or 20,445 votes.

Republican Sam Graves will face Democrat Henry Martin. Graves received the nomination from his party by receiving 76 percent of the votes or 72,952 votes, Martin received 46 percent of his party’s votes or 13,481 votes.

Democrat Ingrid Burnett won her race for the 19th District for the Missouri State House with 58 percent of the vote or 1,114 votes, Her opponent Wick Thomas received 41 percent of the vote or 788 votes.

Democrat Yolanda Young won another term as the 22nd District Rep. as she won 79 percent of the vote or 2,274 votes compared to Kevon Graves who received 13 percent of the vote or 389 votes. Davitta L. Hanson received 6 percent of the vote or 182 votes.

Democratic political newcomer Anthony Ealy out hustled his opponents and won the 36th District House seat by winning 61 percent of the vote or 2,195 votes. His opponent Annette Turnbaugh won 35 percent of the vote or 1,265 votes and John D. Boyd Jr. won 3 percent of the vote or 131 votes.

Jackson County Executive Frank White won his race against Stacy Lake, White received 53 percent of he vote or 33,943 votes. His opponent received 46 percent of the vote or 29,765 votes.

White will face Republican challenger Theresa Galvin who defeated her opponents by receiving 43 percent of the vote or 16,769 votes.

Manny Abarca won the 1st District seat on the Jackson County Legislature by defeating his opponents with 58 percent of the vote or 10,878 votes. Justice Horn received 28 percent of the vote or 5,233 votes and Geoff Gerling received 13 percent of the vote or 2,503 votes. He will face a Republican challenger in November.

Democrat Venessa Huskey easily won the 2nd District seat on the Jackson County Legislature by winning 66 percent of the vote or 5,485 votes. Her opponents Lorenzo Johnson received 19 percent of the vote or 1,611 votes and Michael Sudduth received 14 percent of the vote or 1,190 votes.

Democrat DaRon McGee won the 4th District seat by winning 77 percent of the vote or 8,023 votes compared to Michael Brown who received 22 percent of the vote or 2,309 votes.

Democrat Donna Peyton won her bid for the Jackson County Legislature 2nd District-at large and will face Republican John Murphy for that seat in November.

She defeated Zac Sweets who won 22 percent of the vote or 13,098 votes. Ryan Meyer received 12 percent of the vote or 7,439 votes.

Democrat Megan Marshall won her bid for the Jackson County Legislature 2nd District at-large. She won 67 percent of the vote or 40,001 votes and defeated incumbent Tony Miller who won 18 percent of the vote or 11,027 votes, Delmira Quarles who won 13 percent of the vote or 7,890 votes.

Both Hickman Mills School Questions passed.

Question 1 won by a margin of 76 percent YES or 4,078 votes to 23 percent NO or 1,282 votes.

Question 2 won by a margin of 66 percent YES or 3,542 votes to 33 percent NO or 1,806 votes.