GOP newcomer wins 160th

By MATT SANDERS

Southeast Missourian

SIKESTON, Mo. -- This year voters in the 160th District of the Missouri House of Representatives had a choice between two political newcomers -- Republican Ellen Brandom and Democrat Larry Tetley.

Both are former business owners, both espoused conservative values, both are from Sikeston. On election night, voters overwhelmingly selected Brandom.

The seat -- which covers parts of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties -- was open this year because the current officeholder, Republican Peter Myers, is term-limited.

Brandom tapped Myers as her campaign's "honorary chairman," a move that helped deliver the district to her.

Brandom's victory was overwhelming -- 58.2 percent to 41.8 percent.

According to Tuesday night's unofficial totals, Brandom won Cape Girardeau County 417 to 162, New Madrid County 298 to 150 and Scott County 5,783 to 4,364.

No Mississippi County voters cast ballots in the race.

Brandom said she had "no idea" how the race would turn out. "This is an extremely humbling experience," Brandom said Tuesday night after most precincts had reported. "All I can do is thank those people who have helped me so much to win this election."

Myers was one of those people. He was with Brandom on election night when she found out about her victory.

Tetley said he was happy to run a clean race despite his loss.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

Unlike some other races, the candidates in the 160th District stuck to their own qualifications in their campaign materials, choosing not to attack the other's qualifications.

"She and I didn't have any animosities toward each other, and I was glad to see a good voter turnout," Tetley said. He said he wasn't surprised how the race turned out given Brandom's monetary advantage.

Brandom raised almost four times as much money to aid her in her campaign to fill the seat Myers is vacating, according to the latest reports available from the Missouri Ethics Commission. Her campaign brought in $83,564 by the time of the latest filing with the Missouri Ethics Commission, while Tetley raised only $22,275. Those numbers cover the period through Oct. 26.

Tetley said the Democratic Party in Southeast Missouri needs to work on coming together in a way that will make it a more viable opponent of the Republican Party.

Brandom said she'll use the advice of experienced people like Myers to help guide her through her first term in office.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182