Two Stoddard County incumbents lose to Republican opponents

Incumbents in two of Stoddard County's contested races were defeated in Tuesday's election by their Republican opponents.

Longtime Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn only received 38 percent of the vote, while Russell Oliver, new to the county political scene, received more than 6,000 of the residents' votes.

James Hendley, running in his first election for Stoddard County Clerk, was beat by opponent Joe Watson by 2,781 votes. Hendley had originally been appointed to finish retiring clerk Don White's term.

Democratic incumbent Greg Mathis, vying to keep his spot as Stoddard County Presiding Commissioner, beat his challenger Jason Williams, getting 62 percent of the vote. Williams received 3,659 votes.