Two Lakes Area State Representatives squared off to become the Lakes Region State Senator in Tuesday's Missouri Primary Election.
While Brad Hudson led for most of the night, he held off a late surge by Travis Smith to win the seat vacated by Donna Eslinger who left the Senate to take over as the head of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In totals posted by Ozarks First, Hudson earned 18,488 votes comparted to Smith's 16,656. With no Democratic Opposition on the ballot, Hudson is set to take over the Senate Seat in January.
Meanwhile, the one of the races to fill their House Seats was decided Tuesday as Burt Whaley will take over Hudson's 138 Seat as he won the Republican Primary over Tom Franiak with no Democratic Challenger waiting in November.
Smith's 155th Seat is still to be decided. Matthew Overcast won the Republican Primary but will face Democratic Challenger Courtney Sweeney-Legore in November.
Current Republican 7th District U.S. Congressman Eric Burlison won his nomination to represent the party in the November Election. He will face opposition including from Forsyth Mayor Missi Hesketh, who ran unopposed for the Democratic Nomination.
Statewide primary results include wins for Republican Mike Kehoe and Democrat Crystal Quade as their respective parties nominees for the Governor's Race in the November General Election.
More statewide results can be found on the Ozarks First Website.