Scott County voters elect new sheriff, coroner

Derick Wheetley

BENTON — Scott County voters elected a new sheriff and coroner during Tuesday’s primary election.

The only contested county races in Tuesday’s election were on the Republican ballot.

In a close race for sheriff, Derick Wheetley, who received 2,725 votes, defeated Sheriff Wesley C. “Wes” Drury, who had 2,551 votes, and Hunter Juden, who netted 2,285 votes.

In the race for coroner, John Cody Caudle garnered more votes than incumbent Scott Branam, 3,734 to 3,427.

Voters residing in the county’s 1st District chose David F. Hough, 1,009 votes, as the associate commissioner over John Klueppel, 829 votes; Michael Williams, 588 votes; Will Watson, 357 votes; and Jim Simmons Sr., 71 votes.

In the 2nd District commissioner race, Chase Asmus won the Republican seat with a total of 1,654 votes. He defeated Robert Hinkebein, 1,147 votes; Randy W. Senciboy, 682 votes; Steve Minner, 474 votes; Joshua Glastetter, 435 votes; and Robert “Bob” Graviett, 223 votes. Asmus will now face Rick Vandeven in the November election for the 2nd District commissioner seat. Vandeven was the sole candidate on the Democratic ballot. He received 251 votes.

The Scott County Rural Fire Protection District’s Proposition Safety vote passed with 722 “yes” votes against 398 “no” votes, for a 64.46% approval rate. A four-sevenths majority, or 57.14%, approval was required for passage.

These results, which were provided by Scott County Clerk Allen Seabaugh, are unofficial.