Republicans once again swept the majority of contested races in the seven-county area, taking all four state representative seats that saw a Democrat challenger.
Democrats succeeded at securing only four of the nine contested county-level seats. Wayne, Carter and Ripley counties voted on county clerk, while other contested positions for presiding commissioner, prosecuting attorney, recorder and collector were decided during this race.
Local Republicans say the results reaffirm a commitment to conservative values. Democrat candidates expressed disappointment in what they said was a challenge to get voters to look past party lines to individual candidates.
Republican Hardy Billington took the District 152 seat of former Speaker of the House Todd Richardson with 69 percent of the votes. Democrat challenger Robert Smith, a local attorney, lost 7,373 to 3,307. This district includes Butler and Dunklin Counties.
New state representatives will be sworn in Jan. 9 for two-year terms.
"I am humbled by the support I received and I look forward to serving as a strong voice for our conservative ideals," Billington, 65, said Tuesday evening.
He believes voters responded to his family conservative ideals and that they felt he was trustworthy.
"Whatever the people in my community have voted for, I'm going to support, because that is who I represent," said Billington, a retired heating and cooling professional. "I may have different ideals, but I will listen to them. They are the ones I work for."
Smith received about 31 percent of the vote. It is similar to the support the Democrat challenger received in 2010, the last time no incumbent ran for this seat.
"I am very disappointed in the results ... but the people have spoken," said Smith, 68. "I ran because I thought I had a duty to offer the people of the 152nd a positive alternative."
Smith said he hopes the new state representatives focus on what is best for the district, and do not just follow party lines.
Jeff Shawan, 62, of Poplar Bluff saw a larger victory in the District 153 race for state representative to serve portions of Butler, Wayne, Carter and Ripley Counties. Shawan won 9,716 to 3,330 against Democrat challenger Matt Michel, 28, of Fairdealing.
"I'm a little bit overwhelmed by the statement of the voters of the 153rd and deeply humbled," Shawan said Tuesday evening. "I want to congratulate my opponent on conducting a vigorous and positive campaign. I'm proud that as candidates we did not personally attack each other.
"I think that speaks positively in the days that we're living."
Shawan and other new state representatives will be in Jefferson City today for their first caucus, and will elect party leadership.
"The voters of the 153rd spoke loudly that our rural values are still meaningful and when I go to Jefferson City, I'm going to work vigorously to protect our rural way of life and work to improve the problems that we suffer in rural Missouri," said Shawan, a retired businessman and former Butler County emergency management director.
Michel, who received 25.5 percent of votes, said he was disappointed party lines won Tuesday.
"It's a pretty frustrating thing to see whenever you invest yourself into the various communities and they can't look past the party label," said Michel, who is assistant Ripley County prosecutor, adding, "I'm still going to be a member of my communities and do what I can to help out in other ways."
Voters should be concerned about the influence special interest groups are having on the Republican party, said Michel, adding that his comment was directed at the party and not his opponent.
Right to work is being considered again, after being voted down by the citizens in Missouri, he said.
"That just shows me they've completely ignored the voters and they're just going to keep supporting those that send them enough money to where they can keep winning elections," Michel said.
In Stoddard County, Republican Herman Morse also soundly defeated Democrat J.T. (Jerry) Howard and Libertarian Rick Vandeven. Morse received 10,270 votes, Howard 2,455 and Vandeven 376.
"I hope that I can continue to have the confidence and the respect of the voters that I serve," said Morse, 69. "I think voters probably can see there is some change we need, but I think they would rather have tweaking than have radical change.
"I think old values are still important. I think common sense solutions are still important."
Republican Andrew McDaniel took the District 150 seat against Democrat Josh Rittenberry, with votes at 6,525 to 2,132. This district includes portions of Dunklin County.
In contested county level races, Republican candidates won: Judge, Circuit 42, Division 1, Reynolds and Wayne Counties, Megan Seay; Wayne County collector, Rhonda Cates; Wayne County clerk, Kent Sisco; Carter County clerk, Leona Stephens; and Ripley County commissioner, Jesse Roy.
In contested county level races, Democrats won: Carter County recorder, Pauline Peterman; Carter County prosecuting attorney, Hannah Pender; Ripley County clerk, Becky York; Ripley County recorder, June Watson.
Uncontested races for county offices were decided in August's primary election.
New county officers will take office in January as well.