Ruzicka, White, Gielow Win; County Votes No On Legal Marijuana

Predictions of a national “Red Wave” were certainly borne out in Ste. Genevieve County Tuesday.

Every Republican on the ballot rolled to commanding victories Tuesday night. Randy Ruzicka won the presiding commissioner race by nearly 1,500 votes over David Bova. Ruzicka garnered 61.3% of the vote (4,040) to 38.7% (2,554) for Bova, while Republican Mary Jane Fallert White beat Democrat Annette Roth for recorder of deeds, 4,362-2,223 (66.2% to 33.8%) and Kim Resinger Gielow downed Susan Mueller 68.5% to 31.5% (4,497-2,071) for county collector.

Ruzicka, the Second District commissioner since January 2021, will replace Garry Nelson, presiding commissioner since 2011. Nelson opted not to see another term.

The same was true in the other two contested races. Recorder Peggy Yamnitz and Collector Claudia Stuppy also opted not to see another term, thus opening the positions up.

County Clerk Sue Wolk, Circuit Clerk Julie Bova, Treasurer Sara Hoog, Prosecuting Attorney Wayne Williams, all Democrats, were unopposed for reelection. So were Republicans Amanda Kuehn (public administrator) Timothy Inman (associate circuit judge) and Rick Francis, District145 state representative.

County voters also went big for District 8 US Representative Jason Smith, giving the incumbent 69.5% of the vote to challenger Randi McCallian’s 28.7% and went with Republican Eric Schmitt over Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine for US Senate, 65.2% to 32.9% and Republican Scott Fitzgerald over Democrat Alan Green 69.2%$ to 28.1% for state auditor.

They opposed Amendment, which would have allowed the state treasurer greater flexibility in investing state funds, 60.1% to 39.2%.