Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman was elected to his fourth term of office at Tuesday’s general election. He defeated challenger Democratic candidate Buddy Thompson 3,119 to 1,623.

Unofficial results for fellow Republican Bruce Sassmann, in another attempt to become the District 62 State Representative from Maries County, appeared to be on a path of victory if the county’s numbers are repeated. The 62 District encroaches multiple counties. Sassmann outpaced Democratic candidate Nancy J. Ragan in all precincts in the county, totaling 3,470 votes to Ragan’s 1,228 votes.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson was also heavily favored by county voters as he received 3,873 votes. Democratic challenger Nichole Galloway garnered 815 votes.

President Donald J. Trump won every precinct as well with 3,890 votes to Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s 1,770 votes.

Supporters for both Heitman and Buddy Thompson were with the candidates at the courthouse Tuesday night to await the results.

“There is a lot more work the county needs done,” Heitman said. “We need to update the jail and 911 system. We can get back to focusing on the task at hand rather than being out campaigning. I think the sheriff’s office is fantastic considering the resources we have and will continue to make improvements so that we can better serve the citizens of the county.”

Heitman added that his office is going to continue the contract in Belle until the city board decides to do otherwise. He added that he would like to improve the networking between agencies, including fire, police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Democratic candidate Buddy Thompson said early Tuesday morning that he appreciated the people’s support.

“I’d like to thank the good people of Maries County for voting for me,” said Thompson. “I would do the best I can for all the people in the county.”

County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers was pleased with the day and the very good 77.35 percent county-wide voter turnout. She said her office was very busy all day with phone calls.

Poll workers who brought the results to the courthouse Tuesday night also reported good, busy and mainly problem-free polling precincts. They were all tired and happy for the long day to be over.

Rodgers said with all of the turmoil and the added work with the COVID-19 coronavirus, “I do really appreciate the poll workers for coming out to do what they do. More than they realize,” she said.

LONG LINES AT THE POLLS

Precinct poll judges in both Belle and Bland on Tuesday morning met with more 6 a.m. early bird voters than they expected, and the steady stream continued throughout the day.

Potential voters overflowed the parking lot onto the street near St. Alexander Church at the Belle precinct at 7:45 a.m., lining up 40 to 60 people deep and social distancing to the back of the parking lot during its busiest times. By 8:15 a.m. the line was back inside the church. For the number of people present, the noise level never rose above a low murmur.

Former history teacher Mary Moore had answered the call for more poll workers. She called forth city and county voters as booths became available. Moore was one of six polling judges present and maintained 20 booths.

“It’s been busy all morning,” Moore said. “But so far everybody seems to be behaving well and very patient with us.”

Moore said there were 10 to 12 people waiting at 6 a.m. when they opened the polls.

Jenny Stockton said she waited in line for 20 minutes before she was able to vote.

“To me, it is important to vote and set the tone for my eighth graders,” said Stockton, who is a teacher at the Owensville Middle School. “Ms. Schulte (OMS principal) got coverage so I could come in and vote.”

Stockton said she and her husband, Grant Stockton, had planned to vote first thing in the morning. They live near the polls, but when Grant Stockton left their home at 6:12 a.m and did not return until 6:48 a.m. Stockton knew she would need more time to wait in line. Stockton’s ballot was the 182nd cast before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

While the Osage County - Belle precinct at the Belle-Bland Community Center was not as busy at 8: 30 a.m., poll judge Lora Wagener, who has served for many years as a Franklin County polling judge and recently relocated to the area, said it had been very busy earlier in the morning as she certified more ballots to be distributed. They had a total of 125 voters come through the polls already.

At the Zion Evangelical Church in Bland at 8:45 a.m., five polling judges helped a steady stream of voters collect ballots and vote at one of the 13 booths. Voters spoke amongst themselves as they waited in a line of 10 or more people deep. The polling judges were excited to have such a good turnout, as 203 ballots had already been cast.

“We’ve been busy the whole time,” said return polling judge Jean Baker. “Starting at 6 a.m., people were waiting. It's been calm and it's been steady. We have had curbside voting, which we are happy to offer. It’s a good day to vote.”