Republican victories follow national trend

The tides have turned.

Results from local elections in Northeast Missouri show that Democrats have lost ground as voters have become frustrated with the current Democratic-leaning federal government.

Three major races in the area resulted in the defeat of Democratic incumbents or candidates by Republican challengers. Zachary Wyatt (R) clinched the  Missouri House District 2 representative race with 60.6 percent of the vote, Brian Munzlinger (R) overtook incumbent Wes Shoemyer (D) with 58.3 percent of the vote in the Missouri Senate District 18 race and Stanley Pickens (R) won the office of Presiding Commissioner of the County Commission by 50.25 percent against two competitors and write-in votes (See sidebar and page 7 for full election results).

"District 2 spoke this evening and I think their voices were heard loud and clear, and Jefferson City is hearing it right now," Wyatt said after the announcement of his win.

He said Republican victories throughout the nation are a response to President Obama's policies and an attempt to retake control of Congress from the Democrats. The people who disagree the most with Obama's policies and the Democrats are rural Americans, Wyatt said, which especially contributed to high voter turnout in rural Missouri.

"I think I'm on cloud nine right now," Wyatt said. "It's been a great campaign, I've really enjoyed it and I can't wait.  Like I said, tomorrow I'll be getting to work for the district and we won't stop here."

Rebecca McClanahan, the District 2 incumbent, said in an interview with KTRM on Tuesday night that she was "shocked," about her loss.

"The voters of District 2 have chosen," McClanahan said. "They have decided. Now the situation is in their hands and the hands of Mr. Wyatt."

McClanahan won her seat in 2008 by a margin of approximately 13.5 percentage points against Republican challenger Thom Van Vleck in a year when Democrats took control in many races throughout the country.

"We had known that this was a unique environment during this election cycle, and I believe that the opposition has exploited that environment," McClanahan said. "They have run a campaign on federal issues, and those are not what we deal with here in Missouri. Those are not the issues I have been wrestling with."

Bob Behnen (R), former District 2 representative,  said he agreed that voters this election year were motivated by dissatisfaction with the current federal government.

"I think that's why nationally you're seeing this response, because when people voted for hope and change, and I don't think they realized what change they were getting into," he said.

It seems that Northeast Missouri Democrats see Republican success as a frustrated response to Democratic federal control, rather than a preferable alternative in the Republican candidate.

"I think that people this year voted against the way things are, and they blamed Democrats for that," history professor Jerry Hirsch said. "It's not that the opponents are particularly attractive. It is just that people dislike the way things are."

Democrats, even in non-federal races, were at a disadvantage this midterm election because of their association with an unpopular federal government.

"If you had a ‘D' behind your name, I think that was a bad brand this year," presiding Circuit Judge Russell Steele said.  "It was just an anti-Democrat year. I think that national decisions have trickled down to even this local level."

Steele said he was surprised at the outcome of the District 2 race because he thinks McClanahan represented the District well during her four years in office.

Kirksville attorney Benjamin Grey said the change in leadership might be due to people wanting answers and simply voting for candidates who promise things that people want to hear.

McClanahan worked as a representative for almost four years while Wyatt is new to the political scene.

"We are surprised by the results," English professor Monica Barron said. "I am 53 years old, and I get out of bed and think that experience matters. Then I get evidence to the contrary and it makes me mad."