Maries County voters took to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new sheriff, coroner and Western District commissioner.

Republican Mark Morgan won the sheriff’s election against Independent challenger Timothy “T.J.” Halle with 2,576 votes to Halle’s 2,083 votes.

“It’s been a year-and-a-half of campaigning,” Morgan said. “I’m glad to get it over with. I’m looking forward to getting to work. I’m just overwhelmed right now with the amount of support that everybody has come out and shown me.”

After the last precinct was announced, Halle went to Morgan and offered a concession hug. The two embraced.

“Mark did a hell of a job,” Halle said. “I can’t complain. Hopefully he has the best interest of the county, and I think he does. Congratulations to him.”

In the coroner race, Republican challenger Tom Tramel unseated incumbent Democratic coroner David Martin, Sr. Tramel took 2,852 votes compared to 1,704 votes for Martin.

Voters chose Independent Patrick Kleffner to succeed incumbent Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre, who appeared on the ballot despite announcing his retirement at the end of his term. Kleffner received 1,236 votes.

“I would like to thank the voters of Maries County for your support throughout my campaign,” Kleffner said via text. “It was my pleasure to meet so many wonderful people along the way as we traveled the rural roads of Maries County. I look forward to working together with you as your new Western District Commissioner.”

Second place in the Western District race was Independent Ryan Davis, who received 579 votes.

“I’d like to thank all the support from my family and friends and everybody around the community,” Davis said. “Know that regardless of the unfortunate loss, I will still support the community the best I can. I’d like to congratulate my opponent. I wish it would have turned out differently for me, but I think he’ll do just as good a job as I could’ve done. This is only the beginning.”

Fagre still received 525 votes after his retirement announcement.

“I want to congratulate Pat and Ryan for running a good race,” he said via text. “If there’s anything I can do to help Pat with the transition, I will be glad to help.”

Belle’s Proposition A was also on the ballot. In Maries County, it failed by 17 votes with “Yes” votes and 261 “No” votes. The measure also failed in Osage County with 38 “Yes” votes and 47 “No” votes.