ERIC SCHMITT ELECTED TO UNITED STATES SENATE
The successor to United States Senator Roy Blunt has been chosen.
Republican Eric Schmitt defeated Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine Tuesday during Missouri’s election. Schmitt will take over Blunt’s position, after the Senator announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection.
Missouri voters also chose Republican Scott Fitzpatrick to be the new State Auditor. Current Missouri Auditor Nicole Galloway announced last year that she was not going to run for the seat again.
In Southeast Missouri, Incumbent Republican Jason Smith easily won reelection to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Democratic challenger Randi McCallian.
In contested local races in Southeast Missouri, Donnie Johnson Jr. defeated June Watson for Ripley County Recorder of Deeds. For Pemiscot County Recorder of Deeds, Amanda Littleton Gordon has defeated Vanessa Darnell.
In New Madrid County, Renee Westmoreland Smith was chosen for the treasurer position over Mary Hunter Starnes.
MISSOURI RESIDENTS APPROVE MARIJUANA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
Missouri voters decided on four constitutional amendments on Tuesday and ruled against a Constitutional Convention.
Voters ruled in favor of Amendment 3, which legalizes the purchase, possession, consumption, use, delivery, manufacture, and sale of marijuana for personal use for adults over the age of twenty-one. The amendment also allows individuals with certain marijuana-related offenses to petition for release from prison or parole and probation and have their records expunged; and enact a six percent tax on the retail price of recreational marijuana.
Amendment 1, which would have allowed the General Assembly to override the current constitutional restrictions of state investments by the state treasurer, was rejected by the electorate.
Voters approved Amendment 4, which will require Kansas City to increase the amount of money it spends on the police department. The amendment requires Kansas City to spend 25% of its general revenue on police, an increase from the current 20%. A state-controlled board operates the Kansas City police department.
Voters also approved Amendment 5 which will make the Missouri National Guard its own department. Voters decided against holding a state Constitutional Convention.
In local ballot issues, Bloomfield, Dexter, and Puxico all passed propositions for the appointment of City Collectors, while Bell City and Bloomfield citizens approved foregoing annual elections if the number of candidates who have filed for each office is equal to the number of positions for each office.
SARAH SANDERS CHOSEN AS NEW ARKANSAS GOVERNOR
Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has been elected Arkansas governor and will be the first woman to lead the state.
Sanders on Tuesday defeated Democratic nominee Chris Jones in the race for governor in her predominantly Republican home state. Sanders will succeed fellow Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson, who is barred by term limits from seeking reelection.
Republican Senator John Boozman, of Arkansas, won reelection to a third six-year term, cruising past Democrat Natalie James.
In Northeast Arkansas local races, Shawn Brandon has been elected as Mayor of Rector, Gregory Ahrent is the winner of the race for Mayor of Corning, and voters in Piggott have chosen Bradley Scheffler for their Mayor.
In Randolph County, Kevin Bell won reelection as County Sheriff.
ARKANSAS RESIDENTS DECLINE THREE STATEWIDE BALLOT ISSUES, INCLUDING MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
Three state wide issues, including a marijuana legalization question, were rejected by voters in Arkansas, while one remains too close to call.
Voters rejected Issue 4, which would have authorized the possession, personal use, and consumption of cannabis by adults and authorized the cultivation and sale of cannabis by licensed commercial facilities.
Voters decided against Issue 1, which would have allowed the General Assembly to convene in extraordinary session upon the issuance of a joint written proclamation of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate.
Issue 2 also failed and would have required a sixty percent supermajority vote of approval from voters to adopt constitutional amendments and citizen-initiated state statues.
Issue 3 remains too close to call as of press time. If passed, it will create the "Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment"; and provides that the government may never burden a person's freedom of religion except in rare circumstances.
PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY IN CARTER COUNTY
Eastbound U.S. Route 60 in Carter County will be reduced today as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform pavement repairs.
According to officials, the section of roadway involved in the project is located from Route 21 to County Road 239 near Ellsinore.
Weather permitting, work is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
US HIGHWAY 62 TO BE REDUCED TODAY FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS
U.S. Highway 62 will be reduced today so crews with the Missouri Department of Transportation can perform bridge repairs.
The work zone is located from County Road 217 to the Missouri State line in Dunklin County.
Weather permitting, work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
