VOTERS IN REGION WILL ENCOUNTER FULL BALLOTS

Voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect candidates for November's general election and decide several ballot issues. Below are the races in nine Southeast Missouri counties.

CAPE GIRARDEAU

COUNTY

JACKSON There are three primary election contests in the Republican Party and two on the Democratic side in Cape Girardeau County Tuesday.

The races drawing the most attention have been on the Republican side for first district associate commissioner and for county treasurer where challengers are taking on veteran incumbents.

First District Commissioner Leonard F. Sander of Jackson, first elected in 1976, is opposed for another two-year term by Larry Bock, a Gordonville farmer. The winner will face Democrat George Cox of Delta.

Veteran County Treasurer Bill Reynolds of Cape Girardeau faces his first primary election battle ever, as Cape Girardeau businessman Edwin "Pete" Rhodes is making his first bid for public office.

Reynolds was first elected in 1980. The winner will meet Democrat Orval Thorne of Jackson in November.

The other Republican primary race in Cape County is for coroner, where John Carpenter is challenged for a second term by Edward A. Frenzel of Jackson, a nurse at St. Francis Medical Center. Carpenter defeated Frenzel in the 1988 primary.

The winner will take on either Harold Cobb or Jim Sullins, who will face off in the Democratic primary. Cobb was coroner from 1979 until the end of 1988 when he lost a close race to Carpenter.

The other Democratic primary race is for second district county commissioner. Lanny Smith, former city health officer now working in construction, is opposing Peter Choi, owner of the Golden Dragon Restaurant.

Republican E.C. Younghouse will face the winner in the general election.

The second district includes all of the Cape Girardeau except Ward 17, while the first district includes the remainder of Cape County.

SCOTT COUNTY

BENTON In Scott County, the August primary has traditionally been "the election" as there have been few Republican candidates for county office.

This year's race is no exception as all of the contests are on the Democratic side.

Sheriff Bill Ferrell is challenged for re-election by retired state trooper A.E. "Bud" Mills of Sikeston.

Assessor Gerald Inman faces opposition from Sikeston businesswoman and former school teacher Teresa Houchin and Terry Herndon, a former city planner for Sikeston.

Coroner Scott Amick is opposed in his re-election bid by Lonnie Ponder, who owns a Sikeston funeral home.

First District Commissioner Lynn Ingram of Sikeston, who is seeking re-election to a second term, is opposed by Walter E. Bizzell, a businessman and former U.S. Postal Service employee.

Second District Commissioner Joe Spalding of Benton is seeking a third, two-year term. His opponent is Bob Dennis, former mayor of Oran.

Fielding Potashnick of Sikeston is currently serving as Division IV associate circuit judge and seeking election to serve the remaining two years of an unexpired term. He was appointed in December to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Blanton, who left the post to take the job of federal magistrate in Cape Girardeau.

Potashnick is opposed by Scott County Prosecuting Attorney David Dolan of Sikeston.

BOLLINGER COUNTY

MARBLE HILL - Democrats have two county races and Republicans have one in Bollinger County.

Second District Associate Commissioner Junior Cook faces a challenge from fellow Democrat, Joyce M. Long.

The winner will face the winner of a four-way race for the Republican nomination. Melvin Sitze, who was the Republican nominee for second district associate commissioner in 1990, is competing in the primary with Sharon K. Smith, Donald L. Barks, and Ivan L. Myers.

The other primary contest is for sheriff on the Democratic ticket between Lindell J. Myers, Jerry D. Benfield, and Jimmie Gale Bollinger.

In the general election, the winner will face Republican Sheriff Daniel Mesey.

PERRY COUNTY

PERRYVILLE - Races for county commissioner and sheriff highlight the primary election field in Perry County.

In the western district, Carl R. (Corky) Leuckel the incumbent, is opposed by Mike Yamnitz and Elbert W. Bohnert. The winner will take on either Nancy Smith or Keith E. Cragg, who are competing in a Democratic primary.

In the eastern district, incumbent Melvin A. Moldenhauer is challenged Tuesday by Garry A. Lauck and LeRoy Weinhold. There are no Democratic candidates.

Five Republicans are battling for the nomination for sheriff: J.M. Jack Lakenan, Keith D. Lane, Jim Newcomer, Gary J. Schaaf, and Harley Geile.

Sheriff Franklin (Dutch) Schmidt, is opposed in the Democratic primary by Theodore W. Christisen. Schmidt is seeking his third term.

The other primary contest in Perry County is for public administrator. Incumbent John T. Bert is challenged by Charles J. Scheman and Randy Leible. The winner will face Democrat Rueben B. Hotop in the general election.

Voters in Perry County School District No. 32 also will decide whether to borrow $4.9 million to renovate school buildings and construct additions to existing buildings.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY

CHARLESTON - All five primary contests in Mississippi County are on the Democratic ticket.

Ed DeField, whose tenure as assessor of Mississippi County dates back to the start of World War II, is facing a strong challenge from W.R. (Bill) Thompson.

Veteran Sheriff Avery T. Hutcheson faces a challenge from Larry E. Turley. The winner will have the only countywide race in the November general election against Republican Roger Paul Crites.

First District Associate Commissioner Steve Ledbetter is challenged for re-election by Homer D. Oliver, while Second District Commissioner Jim Blumenberg is opposed by Chuck Davis.

The other Democratic primary contest is for coroner where Ricky Penrod is opposed by Dr. Donald A. Raithel.

MADISON COUNTY

FREDERICKTOWN - Five incumbents are challenged in the Democratic primary in Madison County. Republicans have just one countywide primary, for the office of sheriff.

Sheriff Verlon W. Young, a Democrat, faces a primary challenge from Robert Bolling and John Garner. Young has been sheriff for six years. The winner will face one of three Republicans: Firman Francis, Gary L. Asher, or John Wright.

First District Associate Commissioner Don Myers has a Democratic challenge from Bill Killian. In the second district, incumbent Willis DeSpain is opposed in the primary by Tina M. Tinnin. There are no Republican candidates for the county commission.

Four Democrats and one Republican are competing to succeed Elvin A. Sikes, a Republican, who is retiring after many years in the assessor's office.

Democratic candidates are: Sue Smallen Harmon, John C. Polete, Gary F. Barnes, and Lisa Bacon. The Republican candidate is Earl E. Ealick.

Democratic Public Administrator James D. Rauls is facing primary opposition from Ray Statler and Roscoe Brewington. No Republicans have filed for the office.

STODDARD COUNTY

BLOOMFIELD - There are a total of 10 candidates running for sheriff in Stoddard County - four Republicans and six Democrats.

Among the Republican field is Arthur "Sug" Lee of Bernie, who won a special election last year after Don Mayberry resigned. He faces Anson Barney, Bill Pry, and Jeff Slinkard Jr. in the primary.

Making up the Democratic field are: Steve Fish, Larry Hampton, Wilbur McClain, Gary Callow, Larry Jones, and John J. Jibben.

The Republicans have no other county primary races, but Democrats have three others.

Assessor Wayne Millington faces a double challenge from Elmer (Doc) Dunn and from Terry Bates. No Republican has filed.

Jody Lemmon is challenged for second district associate commissioner by Jim Smyth and Ray Coats. The winner will face Republican Mike Batchelor in the general election.

Ray W. Rainey, longtime Stoddard County coroner, is opposed in the primary by Melvin Staggs.

In the Bloomfield school district, voters will decide whether to increase the operating levy by 76 cents.

The Bernie School District is seeking voter approval to borrow $520,000 for repairing old buildings and furnishing schools.

In the city of Bernie, voters will decide whether to approve a 20-year electric franchise agreement with Union Electric.

BUTLER COUNTY

POPLAR BLUFF - Butler County voters will decide the fate of a half-cent sales tax to fund construction of a jail and improve county roads.

If approved, the tax would be imposed for 20 years.

Western District Commissioner James Edmundson is opposed by James Hanner of Poplar Bluff in the Democratic primary.

On the Republican side, three Poplar Bluff residents are seeking the post. They are Ron Spencer, Gene E. Hart and Tom Rankin.

Thomas Evans of Wappapello and George Mureno of Poplar Bluff are vying for the Democratic nomination for Eastern District commissioner. The winner will face incumbent Republican Gaylen Sanders in November.

Assessor Harold Tinsley is opposed for re-election by Howard Vinson of Poplar Bluff in the Democratic primary.

Sheriff Bill Heaton faces challenges from Poplar Bluff residents Claude "Junior" Johnson and E. Lynn Montgomery in the Republican primary.

On the Democratic side, there are six candidates for sheriff. They are Charles E. Powers of Broseley, and J.E. "Jim" Davidson, Hurschel D. Alexander, Fred Armes, Floyd Urich and Jim Borders, all of Poplar Bluff.

NEW MADRID

NEW MADRID Three New Madrid County incumbents face opposition in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

On the Republican side, there is one contested race for county office. Glen Creasy and Walter Ivy are seeking the Republican nomination for sheriff.

On the Democratic side, Sheriff Jake C. Rone faces four challengers: Thurman Beeson, Claude J. McFerren, W.W. "Wayne" Thacker and Herschel E. Lott.

First District Commissioner Jim Cravens is challenged by Bobby Blom and Robert Gene Fowler.

Second District Commissioner J.H. Workman Jr. faces opposition from Virgil L. Estes.