MISSISSIPPI COUNTY VOTERS RE-ELECT ONE INCUMBENT, ONE CHALLENGER

CHARLESTON -- Only one of two Mississippi County incumbents facing challengers were re-elected by voters during Tuesday's primary elections.

Presiding commissioner Jim Blumenberg and county collector Faye Elliot both faced challengers on their Democratic tickets. Competition was expected to be fierce because of heavy absentee vote tallies and because the winners of both contests faced no opposition from other parties in November general elections.

Elliot easily defended her position against challenger Linda Sutton. The Charleston resident, who has served as county collector for 12 years, was re-elected by a landslide, winning the decision by a 1,874 to 400 margin.

Blumenberg did not fare as well, however, losing his bid for re-election to former associate commissioner Steve Ledbetter by a 1,183 to 1,178 decision.

Blumenberg said he had no explanation for the tight race, which was "definitely a surprise." He would not comment on whether he would call for a recount of the votes.

"We'll just wait and we'll decide something in a few days," he said.

Blumenberg, a business owner and East Prairie resident, has served a total 22 years in public office. He was first elected associate commissioner in 1988, a position he held for six years before being elected presiding commissioner in 1994.

Ledbetter, a farmer and Bertrand resident, was not available for comment.

A spokesperson from the county clerk's office said Blumenberg and Ledbetter switched positions several times throughout the evening. Each won precincts nearer their home towns, with Ledbetter taking the lead for good when the final tally was taken from the village of Wilson City. Ledbetter won that precinct by a vote of 26 to 7.

In all, 2,552 voters, about 24 percent of those registered, turned out for the election. County officials said they had expected a much higher voter turnout after receiving some 171 absentee votes prior to the election.