Straw poll at forum favors Emery and York

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

By James R. Campbell

Nevada Daily Mail

July 24's political forum at Nevada High School included a straw poll that showed State Senate candidate Ed Emery of Lamar, state representative hopeful Barbara York of East Vernon County and incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Harrisonville leading their respective tickets.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin of Glencoe, who has made two campaign appearances in Nevada, drew the most support in his race.

Reported last Friday by the Nevada-Vernon County Chamber of Commerce and County Clerk Tammi Beach, here are the results:

Missouri Senate, District 31

Emery, 21; Scott Largent of Clinton, 7; Charles Burton of Drexel, 2; and Dave Morris of Peculiar, 0. Emery, Largent and Morris are Republicans while Burton is a Democrat.

State representative, District 126

York, 16; Randy Pike of Adrian, 9; and Bill Yarberry of Milo, 1. All three are Republicans.

U.S. Congress, District 4

Hartzler, 23; Democrat Teresa Hensley of Raymore, 6; Constitution Party nominee Greg Cowan of Lebanon, 2; and 0 for Republican Bernie Mowinski of Sunrise Beach and Libertarians Herschel Young of Harrisonville and Thomas Holbrook of Warrensburg.

U.S. Senate

Akin got 17 votes to incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of St. Louis's 7; and Republicans garnered 4 for John Brunner of St. Louis, 3 for Hector Maldonado of Sullivan and 2 for Sarah Steelman of Rolla.

Emery joked Friday that he "would have liked to get them all, but I am pleased to be favored in the straw poll.

"It was a small sampling of voters that I certainly hope is reflected in the Aug. 7 primary," he said. "I think it shows the differences in the candidates, but it tells me I have more work to do to define those differences."

Largent said he had expected Emery "to do well in his hometown, but a number of people came to the forum with an open mind and I'm thrilled that seven picked me.

"The more people look at me and what I have to offer, the more will choose me when it comes to election time," Largent said.

The 31st Senate District includes Barton, Bates, Cass, Henry and Vernon counties. The seat came open when incumbent Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, was redistricted into Senate District 21.

York said she hopes the straw poll "is a good sign" in her Bates-Vernon County contest.

"I think hard work makes a difference and I believe my message resonates with the people," she said. "I am the only woman in the race and the only candidate endorsed by Missouri Right to Life."

Pike said he "was not surprised" by the results because more of York's supporters attended. "I have been well-received in Vernon County," he said.

"I've met a lot of people and made good friends. I that I have good support there with (outgoing) Rep. Barney Fisher's endorsement because he and I think a lot alike on political issues."

Another forum, this one focusing on candidates for state and U.S. representative, will be conducted at 5:30 p.m., today, in the auditorium at Nevada High School.

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