Guard defeats Koetting in Cape's Ward 4 council race

Cape Girardeau banker Robbie Guard won the Ward 4 Cape Girardeau City Council seat Tuesday, winning nearly 63 percent of the vote.

Guard defeated Patrick Koetting by a vote of 585 to 336 in the city’s only contested council race.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Guard said after winning his first campaign for public office. “I owe a lot to Cape Girardeau. I am so thankful that Ward 4 voted me in.”

Guard, an assistant vice president of commercial lending with MRV Banks, and Koetting, a sales representative with Major Brands beverage distributorship, had voiced support for the two tax issues that were on the ballot.

Both men had argued the use tax was needed to improve public safety in Cape Girardeau.

In his campaign, Guard had stressed his banking background and the council’s duty to “make sure we are spending money in the right way.”

Guard, who has been active in the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, also praised his opponent.

“What should not be lost in this is that Patrick has worked hard for the city,” Guard said. Koetting serves on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

Guard said he and Koetting respected each other in the council race.

Guard will replace longtime Councilwoman Loretta Schneider, who is stepping down because of term limits.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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