REP. PATRICK NAEGER EASILY WINS PRIMARY

PERRYVILLE -- State Rep. Patrick Naeger handily defeated Republican challenger Elbert "Al" Bohnert in Tuesday's primary.

Naeger collected 2,825 votes to 730 for Bohnert.

The win sets the stage for a re-election battle in November with Democratic challenger Diane Edwards of Brewer.

The primary battle for the 155th District House seat was a contest between two Perryville Republicans.

Naeger won by a wide margin in Perry County where he received 2,581 votes to 691 for Bohnert.

In heavily Democratic Ste. Genevieve County, Naeger received 244 votes to 39 for Bohnert.

Bohnert, 44, had charged that Naeger was too partisan to represent residents of Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties.

Naeger, 33, dismissed such talk. He insisted he has never turned his back on his constituents.

Naeger said he was delighted by Tuesday's election win.

"Going into it, you always are a little anxious," Naeger said.

"I am excited about this campaign," he said. "It certainly gives me a lot of momentum going into November."

Naeger, who was first elected to the Missouri House in 1994, is seeking his third term.