Judge,
prosecutor, treasurer
decided
By CHELSAE CORDIA
Staff Writer
Election results poured into the Butler County Courthouse on Tuesday following the 2018 Primary Election with a 30-vote margin of victory that is so narrow in the race for associate judge, a recount is likely to occur.
Locally contested races for judge, prosecutor and county treasurer were won by Wade Pierce, Kacey Proctor and Tammy Marler. Because none of the three will face Democratic challengers in November's general election, they will take office in January.
A use tax for the city of Poplar Bluff regarding internet purchases made from out-of-state vendors failed for a second time with 64 percent of voters saying no, as did Proposition A, or Right-to-Work.
The results, which are uncertified until noon Friday, show Pierce winning the judge's race over his opponent, Ralph Innes.
According to Butler County Clerk Tonyi Deffendall, the difference is less than half of 1 percent and, should those numbers remain unchanged during the verification process, qualify for a recount.
Once the results are certified, the unsuccessful candidate may petition the court for a recount. Deffendall said because the race in question is for the position of associate judge, the request must be made in an adjoining county.
By 9 a.m. Wednesday, no action had been taken by either candidate to initiate a recount, she added.
Voter turnout was slightly above average for a non-presidential primary with 32.45 percent of active registered voters visiting the polls, said Deffendall. Butler County's current list of active registered voters totals 24,835 and 8,058 cast ballots in yesterday's election.
Despite his slim victory in the race for associate judge, Pierce said he is very pleased with the results.
"It's all sinking in, slowly," he said Tuesday night. "I'm grateful to have won and now I just have to survive the recount."
Pierce received the majority of votes from county voters and in Poplar Bluff's Ward 4, totaling 3,426. Innes won in four of the city's five wards and ended with 3,396 votes.
Innes could not be reached for comment.
Proctor's victory came before his return to Butler County following a nine-month military deployment which kept him from participating in his campaign for Butler County prosecutor.
His wife, Ashley, said Proctor learned of his win while Face Timing with his family and friends from a location in Texas.
"We couldn't really hear each other through the screaming, but he thanked everyone for all their hard work," she said. "We are very excited and very humbled."
Ashley said once Proctor arrives in Poplar Bluff sometime between Saturday and Monday, he will have about a day to get his bearings and then the couple will head to the hospital for the birth of their third child.
"Now we can focus on having the baby and he can get reacquainted with his family and return to our normal life before he takes office in January," she said.
Proctor won in Poplar Bluff's wards 1, 3 and 5 and ended with 3,467 votes. His opponent, Paul Oesterreicher, won in wards 2 and 4, and lost by only one vote in wards 3 and 5. Oesterreicher received 3,396 total.
Oesterreicher congratulated Proctor on his win and wished him luck during the next four years.
"We would like to thank everyone who helped us in any way throughout this endeavor," he said. "Now we will focus on family and the future."
Marler, who defeated three opponents in the treasurer race, was ecstatic after learning the results.
"I am so blessed," she said. "God is amazing and the citizens of Butler County are just as wonderful."
Marler said though campaign efforts began in February, she has been working toward her goal of becoming Butler County's treasurer for 27 years. Marler won in every ward in the city of Poplar Bluff and received a total of 2,860 votes.
Challenger Jerrica Fox followed in second place with 1,848 votes, Dan Conover in third with 1,743 and Dennis Shearrer in fourth with 539.