Scott Eiler won the Republican Primary for Gasconade County sheriff Tuesday in commanding fashion over challenger Shawn Mayberry, 2,456 to 1,326.

Eiler, however, was only leading by a slim margin in the northern portion of the county by an 831 to 814 count with nine of 17 precincts tabulated as of 8:40 p.m.

In a 40.56-percent voter turnout, Eiler’s lead grew as the evening wore on. He had a 1,986 to 1,191 lead with 15 of 17 as the nine o’clock hour passed and more of the southern precincts were tabulated. The final count represented the remaining voting tabulations once the Bland/Canaan and Third Creek precincts were counted.

Eiler will not have a contested General Election in November opponent unless there is a write-in candidate filing.

Sassmann carries Miller, Osage, Maries, Cole, Phelps counties

Bruce Sassmann, Bland, held off a strong challenge from Tom Reed, Owensville, for the Republican party’s nomination for the 62nd House District.

Sassmann collected 3,159 votes while Reed had 2,707 in unofficial tabulations across the seven counties. Beyer was a distant third with 1,920.

Sassmann carried Maries, Osage, Miller and Osage counties with Reed keeping the race close early on with a 339 vote advantage in Gasconade County, 1,041 to 702.

Sassmann won Osage County with 779 votes. Reed was second with 590 and Beyer tallied 494 ballots.

Sassmann was the clear choice in Maries County with 755 ballot in his favor — 140 more than Reed’s 615. Beyer was a distant third with 428.

Sassmann scored a big win in Miller County with 250 votes to Reed’s 135. Beyer finished third with 104 votes.

In Cole, Sassmann collected 188 votes while Reed managed 148. Beyer was again third with 115.

Sassmann also won Crawford County, 41 to 31, over Reed with Beyer receiving 29 votes.

In Miller County, Sassmann collected 250 votes, Reed had 135, and Beyer had 104.

The race was within 105 votes before Phelps County voting tabulations were finalized around 10 p.m.

Sassmann polled 444 votes in Phelps while Reed was third there with only 142. Beyer collected 273 votes in Phelps.

Nancy Ragan, the lone Democrat running for the 62nd House seat, received 992 votes across the district.

Thomas wins GOP race

for Public Administrator

A strong southern Gasconade County vote for Kelly Brehe Thomas propelled her to a 1,860 to 1,700 win over Kathy Meyer for the Public Administrator’s post. The race was within 10 votes in early tabulations of north-county precincts, according to Cate Cox, an election worker for the County Clerk’s Office.

Meyer was leading by 197 votes, 874-697, in early results with nine of 17 precincts counted.

Thomas will be unopposed in November.

The voting scene

Judges at the Bland precinct noticed a number of ill and mobility-impaired residents who got out to vote on Tuesday.

“To me, it is amazing the people who are in ill health who came in here today,” said Jane Leimkuehler, a poll judge in Bland.

Leimkuehler has been a poll judge for about four years.

Jean Baker, a second poll judge in Bland, said that their turnout for the day was huge compared to most elections. “We are at 302,” Baker said at 3:15 p.m.

With 75 of the state’s precincts counted as of 10:15 p.m., Amendment No. 2 was passing by a margin of 21,000 votes.