Bean, Swinger win election to state house

Bean

Two Bootheel legislators were returned to Jefferson City by voters Tuesday.

State Representative Otto Bean of Holcomb won a second two year term in the Missouri House Tuesday, while Terry Swinger of Caruthersville was elected in the 162nd House District.

Bean, a Holcomb Republican warded off a challenge from Democrat Jeff McCormick, also of Holcomb.

Swinger

Bean carried all counties in his 25th Senate District, including Dunklin County. Local voters gave Bean 5,039 votes, nearly 52 percent of the ballots cast to 4,523 for McCormick, just over 46 percent.

The district includes parts of Dunklin, Butler and Stoddard counties. District wide Bean received 56 percent of the vote to 44 percent for McCormick.

Butler County voters voted 901 to 503 for Bean, while in Stoddard County, the vote for Bean was 989 to 471.

"I am thankful for the trust the voters have placed in me, and for their continued confidence. It is an honor to represent the 163rd district, and I am deeply honored to have been re-elected," Bean said in a statement. "I will do everything in my power to continue to justify their confidence and to represent them in Jefferson City.

"My opponent conducted a vigorous campaign and I commend him for that," Bean continued. "As the first Republican to represent the 163rd district in over 120 years, I support a two party system, and public debate and discussion of the issues is a good thing for all of us."

Bean also thanked his supporters and volunteers who worked on his behalf, calling his campaign a team effort.

He added, "I want to thank my wife, Janet. She's been by my side through the first campaign, in Jefferson City, and again through this campaign. She's been a great advisor, manager, and coordinator. I couldn't have done it without her."

Swinger defeated Republican challenger Shirley T. Johnson 7,919 votes or 68 percent to 3,706 votes or 32 percent for Johnson.