Smith wins race for 8th District seat

For the second year in a row, Republican Jason Smith came out victorious over multiple opponents to represent Missouri's 8th Congressional District.

Smith assumed the seat in June 2013 by winning a special election to complete the unexpired term of Jo Ann Emerson, who resigned earlier that year. He was up for re-election this year.

Just like the previous race, Smith defeated a Democratic opponent as well as Libertarian, Constitution Party and independent candidates in Tuesday's election.

"I am honored by the great responsibility the voters have placed in me. It has been, and will continue to be, a privilege to serve the people of Missouri's 8th Congressional District every day," said Smith in a statement released Tuesday night.

Unofficial results from the Missouri Secretary of State's website showed Smith won 66.7 percent of the vote and carried all 30 counties in the district. Democrat Barbara Stocker followed with 24.3 percent of the vote.

Independent candidate Terry Hampton picked up 4.3 percent of the vote. Libertarian Rick Vandeven and Constitution Party candidate Doug Enyart each garnered a little more than 2 percent.

Throughout his time in Congress, Smith said he has been working to help farmers and small business owners thrive by reviewing and working to remove intrusive government regulations. It's a practice he plans to continue.

"It's my promise that I will continue fighting to bring good jobs to southeast and southern Missouri, protect our way of life and stand up for rural Missourians," Smith said in the statement. "Our priorities must be a balanced budget, reducing ineffective and intrusive regulations, and protecting our freedoms, because if Washington was more like Missouri, we'd be a lot better off."

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641