DIEBOLD, BEUSSINK WIN

Winners on both the Democratic and Republican tickets said experience made the difference in Tuesday's primary elections for Cape Girardeau County collector.

Diane Diebold became the Republican collector nominee, and Judy Beussink won the Democratic race.

Beussink got 72 percent of the Democratic total with 1,429 votes. Her opponent, Ed Meadows, received 556 votes.

Diebold got 48 percent of the Republican total with 1,352 votes. Matt Hopkins came in second with 1,074 votes. Chris Johnston had 304 votes, and Tom Cahill 92.

Turnout in Cape Girardeau County was low.

Only 5,082 people voted. There are 43,450 registered voters in the county.

In Precinct 12, only 21 people cast ballots at May Greene School. The highest turnout was 338 votes in Precinct 2 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In all, 12 percent of voters went to the polls, said Rodney Miller, county clerk.

"This is one of the lowest primary turnouts we've ever had," Miller said.

"We had just the one contested race," Miller said, referring to the collector races, "and that doesn't generate much interest."

The collector's race did generate interest. County Collector Harold Kuehle is retiring after 32 years at the post. Six people with varying experiences hoped to take over the office.

Both Diebold and Beussink were pleased with the results and credited their work experience and a lot of hard work for their victories.

"We've had a lot of people out there working," Diebold said. "We've been going door-to-door and doing a lot of legwork."

Diebold is controller for Double D Tractor Parts Inc. in Sikeston, a position she has held since 1996. For 23 years prior, she was an accountant with the Drury Co. in Cape Girardeau.

The job of county collector is an accounting job, she explained.

Beussink has worked for Cape Girardeau County government for more than 32 years. She began her career as deputy county clerk on Sept. 1, 1965. Today, she is chief deputy with the county clerk's office.

"I think my experience really paid off," Beussink said, "and it's been a lot of hard work and dedication. I'd like to say thank you to all the people who helped me and supported me."

Beussink and Diebold said the work begins again as they prepare for the November election.

In November, County Clerk Rodney Miller, a Democrat, will be challenged by Libertarian candidate Greg Tlapek.

County incumbents without opposition in November:

-- Gerald Jones, Republican, presiding county commissioner.

-- Janet Robert, Democrat, recorder.

-- H. Weldon Macke, Republican, auditor.

-- H. Morley Swingle, Republican, prosecuting attorney.

-- Pete Statler, Democrat, associate circuit judge, Division III.

-- Gary Kamp, Republican, associate circuit judge, Division IV.

You can find Cape Girardeau County's election results online at www.showme.net/CapeCounty/