Incumbent Rep. Rudy Veit, R-Wardsville, will return to the Missouri House for his third term.
Veit defeated challenger George Bacon in the Republican primary election Tuesday for the House District 59 seat. Since there is no Democratic candidate, he will be unopposed in the November general election.
Veit received 4,905 votes (63.78 percent), while Bacon received 2,785 votes (36.22 percent).
"First off, I'd have to thank my family and my supporters and all the people who have given money and helped me win this," Veit said. "It's a message to me that my common-sense approach is OK. I don't have to go out on the end of the spectrum and that if I have a common-sense approach."
Veit said the election results show he is approaching legislation the way constituents wish him to.
"And I believe a majority of people want more of a common-sense approach," he continued. "They don't want me up there just fighting to be fighting and voting no to be voting no. They want a common-sense approach. They want us to do something."
Bacon said he was thankful despite the defeat.
"I'd like everyone to know how much I appreciate the support they've given me," Bacon said Tuesday evening. "There have been times I've been discouraged -- and that's easy to do."
Half of his campaign expenses went onto his credit card, he continued.
"But I'm proud of that, because Mr. Veit has a lot of political action committees and a lot of people from special interest groups, and a lot of very well-to-do people. When you raise over $75,000 -- who are you going to owe?" Bacon said. "You know how much I owe people? Zero."
All his supporters asked for was his thanks, Bacon said. Without saying a word, they've got it, he said.
Neighbors, family and friends filled his home for Bacon's election watch party. All wished him luck and urged him on, he said.
Bacon presented himself as an alternative to Veit. He campaigned on the promise to get voters more involved in the law-making process. Critics said he demonstrated little knowledge of how laws are made.
Bacon also criticized Veit's support of the increases to the state gas tax. Veit defended the increases for repair and improvement of state roads and bridges, pointing out other well-known Republicans had historically supported taxes when the need was well established.
"Win or lose, people still supported me. They were by my side," Bacon said. "They encouraged me the whole time. Win or lose, to them, it doesn't matter."
If the situation comes up again in two years, Bacon said he'll run again.
"I've never done this before," Bacon said. "But, I want a choice. I'll be that other choice. So, here I am."
All results are unofficial.
60th District
Rep. Dave Griffith, R-Jefferson City, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination for his District 60 seat.
He received 4,149 votes (100 percent).
He will face J. Don Salcedo, of Jefferson City, in the general election in November. Salcedo was the lone Democratic candidate. He received 1,615 votes (100 percent).
Schulte wins 49th District nomination
Voters in the Missouri House 49th District elected Jim Schulte to be the Republican nominee.
Schulte received 3,398 votes, which is 65.43 percent of the total; 5,193 votes were cast overall.
Schulte ran against two other Republican candidates, Steve Myers and Shannon Graziano. Myers received 1,422 votes (27.38 percent), while Graziano received 373 votes (7.18 percent).
Jessica Slisz ran unopposed as the Democratic candidate in the 49th District. She received 1,377 votes (100 percent).
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The incumbent 49th District representative, Travis Fitzwater, was term-limited and could not run. He was seeking the District 10 Senate seat.
50th District
The voters of the Missouri House 50th District had an uncontested primary election this year, as both the Republican and Democratic nominees ran unopposed.
Republican candidate James Musgraves received 2,268 votes.
Democratic candidate Douglas Mann received 2,670 votes.
The current District 50 representative is Republican Sara Walsh, who is not running for re-election. Walsh was running for the 3rd Congressional District, but withdrew from the race because of redistricting passed in May.
Musgraves and Mann will compete in the Nov. 8 general election.
The 50th District is located Northwest of Jefferson City, and is one of three districts inside of Columbia. Other cities in the district include Hartsburg and Ashland.
All results are unofficial.
See additional primary coverage at https://www.newstribune.com/election/.
George Bacon (right) waits for results with supporters during a watch party Tuesday evening after polls closed.
Rep. Dave Griffith
J. Don Salcedo
Jim Schulte
Jessica Slisz