STODDARD PRESIDING JUDGE RE-ELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM

BLOOMFIELD -- Democratic incumbent Norman Moore retained his seat for another four years as Stoddard County presiding commissioner in Tuesday's election.

Moore won his third consecutive term, beating Republican challenger Ralph R. Mouser, former Stoddard County sheriff. Moore gathered 4,184 votes to 3,804 for Mouser.

Stoddard County Clerk Don White reported a good turnout of about 54 percent. Election results were delayed when some precincts ran out of ballots. About 350 ballots were still being counted by hand at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

In a local election, voters in Bernie approved a half-cent sales tax for road and sidewalk improvements by a vote of 284 to 187. Mayor R.B. Woods said the tax will raise approximately $43,000 annually.

Stoddard County voters gave Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson the nod with 5,142 votes. Democrat Jay Thompson received 1,949 votes and Libertarian Greg Tlapek had 154.

In the statewide races, Stoddard County results:

-- U.S. Senate -- Alan Wheat, 2,544; John Ashcroft, 5,142; and Bill Johnson, 360.

-- Missouri state auditor -- Steve Danner, 2,817; Margaret Kelly, 4,805; and Grant Stauffer, 235.

-- Amendment 6 -- 2,848 yes, 5,146 no.

-- Amendment 7 -- 2,296 yes, 5,707 no.