A
BIG DAY FOR THE GOP
by Ivan
Foley and Shana Haines
Landmark staff
By the narrowest of margins, Sandy Krohne has retained
her seat as Platte County Clerk. Krohne, Democrat, edged
Republican challenger Lee Pedego by 120 votes.
In another highly visible county race at Tuesday's election,
Republican Eric Zahnd knocked off interim prosecutor Tammy
Glick (D) by more than 1,300 votes.
Voter turnout in Platte County was 48%, the same percentage
it was for mid-term elections in 1998.
"I'm elated. It was closer than I would have preferred,
but a win is a win. I want to thank everyone for standing
behind me and all who supported me," Krohne said
Tuesday night.
"There was such a Republican push this year that
I couldn't have done this without my supporters,"
she said.
"I appreciate the people who voted for me. I will
continue to get the job done for people," she added.
By law, since there was less than one percent difference
in the final tally, Pedego could request a recount by
going through the circuit court. The recount would be
automatically granted, reports Wendy Flanigan, director
for the Platte County Board of Elections.
"It would be run through an electronic recount,"
she said, which is the same way the ballots were counted
the first time around.
Pedego late Tuesday did not indicate for certain whether
he would seek the recount, but seemed to be leaning against
it.
"Our county clerk race is personally disappointing
as I feel the issues raised were valid and deserved to
be heard. My opponent has a loyal base that couldn't be
overcome. That's politics. My congratulations to Ms. Krohne
on her reelection," Pedego said.
In the prosecutor's race, Zahnd claimed victory with
13,678 votes to 12,308 for Glick, who had served as interim
prosecutor for the past year after being appointed by
the governor to replace Todd Graves, now U.S. Attorney
for the Western District of Missouri.
"We knocked on about 9,000 doors over the course
of this campaign. I enjoyed meeting 9,000 Platte Countians
at their door. This is still a county where a handshake
and a look in the eye mean something," said Zahnd,
who is a lawyer with the Bryan Cave firm.
Zahnd has worked for the Missouri Attorney General's
Office and is a special assistant prosecutor in Cass County.
"I'm gratified the voters have chosen me as their
next prosecutor and will do my best to be tough against
anybody who commits crimes," he added, indicating
crimes against children and violent crimes will be his
focus areas.
"I was cautiously optimistic the entire race. You've
got to run you like you're 10 points behind. That's what
we did," he explained.
Glick said she was satisfied with the way her campaign
was run.
"I'm disappointed with the results. I think we ran
a good campaign focusing on experience and ability. Apparently
that's not what the voters were interested in. It wasn't
enough," she said Wednesday morning.
"I'm proud of the work that I've done in the year
that I've been here. I have no regrets," she added.
"I did everything I knew to do. I did door-to-door,
I talked to people. I don't know what else I could have
done."
Glick is expected to return to practicing law at her
private office in Platte City.
OTHER RESULTS
Platte County voters also decided during Tuesday's election
to keep two incumbent officials in office.
Platte County Presiding Commissioner Betty Knight, Republican,
received 15,557 votes over her opponent, Curt Cook, Democrat,
who received 10,330 votes.
"I am very gratified by the voters and everybody
who worked well. I am very appreciative of my family and
daughters," Knight said. "I look forward to
continue serving the county."
Knight was first elected as presiding commissioner in
1994.
Since in office, Knight says she has overseen construction
of a new jail, helped develop a countywide park system,
helped bring stability to county finances, and is currently
working on a newly developed Citizen Corp, a team of officials
dedicated to emergency management in the event of a terrorism
act.
Most recently, Knight and Platte County Commissioners
lowered the tax levy. According to Knight, the tax rate
has been lowered 44 percent since she has been in office.
Cook said he did get satisfaction from the voting results.
"I got some satisfaction out of the result that
Platte City and north I got 51 percent of the vote,"
Cook said. "There are definitely two different interests
out there."
Cook used the state of Platte County roads as his platform,
saying he would eliminate gravel roads and eliminate dust
control.
Cook also said if elected he would try to take the half
cent park and recreation tax to the voters and let them
decide the fate of the money.
In the circuit court clerk race, incumbent Sandra Dowd
(D) received 13,594 votes. Dowd's opponent, Linda Darby,
received 11,906 votes.
"I am elated. I can't say thank you enough, Dowd
said. "I will continue to work hard at the job that
I have been elected to do."
Dowd has been Platte County Circuit Court Clerk for 12
years. Dowd has a total of 25 years of experience in the
circuit court system. She served as deputy clerk for five
years, and chief deputy clerk for eight years.
Darby's attempt at the circuit clerk seat was her second
try.
"We worked hard. I want to thank everyone, Darby
said. "You never know how things will turn out, but
we gave it a good try.
Darby said she was unsure if she would run for political
offices in the future. Darby said she may focus on furthering
her education.
TOURISM TAX
Platte County's 1/4 cent sales tax for tourism was passed
by voters by a margin of 14,750 to 10,917
The tax will be assessed on hotel and motel rooms. Money
raised will go to funding the county's convention and
visitors' bureau.
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