BAKER-NEEL WINNER IN SCOTT COUNTY

BENTON -- Cristy Baker-Neel spent the better part of the afternoon and early evening crying nervous tears. Shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, she cried tears of joy.

Baker-Neel received the most votes in the Scott County prosecuting attorney's race, edging out a heavily-favored contender.

"I'm pleased the people listened to what we had to say, and want us to continue doing the job we have done for the past year and a half," said Baker-Neel. "We've worked very hard to clear out a backload of cases, and to take to trial the cases that should be tried."

Baker-Neel received 3,240 votes; Frank Marshall, the favored contender from Sikeston, 2,461; and Bob Gowen, 1,854 votes.

Appointed by former Gov. John Ashcroft to fill a vacancy left by David Dolen when he was elected associate circuit judge, Baker-Neel was elected to her first full term as prosecutor.

About 40 percent of Scott County's 21,000 registered voters turned out for Tuesday's primary election. Since officeholders in Scott County are traditionally Democrats, all local races are decided in the primary.

As was the case in other counties, Amendment 4 didn't do well in Scott County, receiving 3,404 votes in favor and 4,433 against.

Walter Bizzell will hold on to his seat as associate commissioner of District 1 in Scott County. He won with 2,390 votes; his opponent, Lloyd "Beans" Evans, got 685.

Joe Spalding narrowly won re-election as associate commissioner of District 2. Spalding received 1,847 votes; Dewaine Shaffer, 1,632; and Everett Holder, 1,158.

Tom Dirnberger, a farmer from Oran, was elected Scott County recorder, receiving 4,690 votes. Joel "Chuck" Bollinger, son of retiring Recorder John Bollinger, received only 2,708 votes.

In the race for county treasurer, H.J. "Cotton" Holyfield received 4,615 votes, soundly defeating opponent Bob Kindle, who got 2,824.

Barbara Criss, appointed to fill an unexpired term by Gov. Mel Carnahan last year following the death of Circuit Clerk Pat Eftink, lost Tuesday's primary to her chief deputy, Pam Glastetter. Glastetter received 4,325 votes and Criss 3,242.

Glastetter was mobbed with hugs from family, friends and supporters. She had tears in her eyes.

"I could never have done this without the people I had working by my side through this whole race," said Glastetter. "And I know Pat Eftink was watching over me."