Underdog says much work ahead before April 2

Jay Knudtson and Melvin Gateley both easily made the first cut in Tuesday's four-candidate primary election, garnering a combined 93 percent of the 2,624 ballots cast in the race for Cape Girardeau mayor.

If the primary is any indication, Knudtson could run away with the race in the general election on April 2. He had more votes than the three other candidates combined. Stan Wicks and Walter White both were eliminated from the race, receiving 3.6 and 3.3 percent of the vote, respectively.

Knudtson received 56.8 percent, while Gateley received 36.3 percent. Knudtson had the most votes in every precinct.

"I couldn't be happier," said Knudtson, 38, a senior vice president at Bank of America. "I'd like to say congratulations to Mr. Wicks and Mr. White. I have a lot of respect for those who choose to be part of the process.

"I really didn't know what to expect. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Gateley. He's been around a long time. We just have to carry this momentum into the general election."

Gateley, 75, who was a city council member for eight years, added up the precinct votes as they were being posted at the Cape Girardeau County administrative building. When a passer-by asked how he was doing, Gateley gave the thumbs-down sign and said, "I'm still in the race, but I'm not steering the ship."

Despite the 531-vote margin between him and Knudtson, Gateley said he won't give up.

"I see our team has got a lot of work to do," he said. "We have a good program to present to the people and hopefully we can turn it around because I'm excited about possibly becoming the next mayor."

Reasons for votes

Knudtson says his background in banking and his close involvement with the city while chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board makes him the best candidate for the job.

After talking to voters at the polls, it appears his message is getting across.

"He just seemed to strike me as the most complete candidate," said Bill Presser, 43.

Lisa Limbaugh, 38, said Knudtson's prior performance impressed her.

"I think his experience in business is a plus," she said. "He's been on several boards, and I think he did a very good job in that capacity."

Peter Maher voted for Knudtson for the same reason.

"I voted for Jay because he's established in the business world and he's established in the community," Maher said. "I also like the way he came across in the debate. He was prepared, articulate and he had realistic goals."

Gateley has experience on his side. In addition to being a member of the city council from 1992 to 2000, Gateley orchestrated and served on the Vision 2000 board charged with charting the city's future.

"I know he was on the council, and I know he has a long history of doing things for the city," Cathy Brown said, explaining her vote for Gateley.

Craig Thomas, 40, said he voted for Gateley because he thought the candidate had the best chance of getting the River Campus issue resolved. The proposed restoration of the old Catholic seminary into a Southeast Missouri State fine arts building has stalled while a lawsuit filed by businessman Jim Drury is weighed in the state Supreme Court.

"Gateley has dealt with Drury in the past," Thomas said. "And I thought he was the best candidate to help out the downtown area."

Low turnout

Stan Wicks, a business owner, said he was disappointed that he didn't get more votes.

He and White had little chance, it seemed, due to the amount of money that Knudtson and Gateley have been able to put into campaigning.

"I had no intentions of spending any money," Wicks said. "But you shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to get elected. But I want to congratulate those two and Walter White, too."

Wicks said he was more disappointed with the voter turnout than his low vote total.

Only 10.3 percent of the city's 25,512 registered voters went to the polls Tuesday.

"It's pretty sad when 90 percent are not involved in an election," Wicks said. "It's kind of scary that people are that uninterested in what goes on in their community."

County clerk Rodney Miller said he expected a light turnout because there were only two dominant candidates.

"It didn't surprise me," Miller said.

The mayoral primary was the first since 1986. A primary is only required when there are more than two candidates.

White could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Staff writer Scott Moyers contributed to this report

bmiller@semissourian.com

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