Dinkins Elected State Rep

Republican Chris Dinkins of Annapolis was elected state representative Tuesday in a special election. Dinkins won by a 299 vote margin to fill the unexpired term of Paul Fitzwater who resigned in September to accept a gubernatorial appointment.

Dinkins, who taught school for 17 years, has served as Fitzwater’s legislative aide for several years. Unofficial returns show Dinkins with 2998 votes and Democrat Jim Scaggs of Annapolis with 2699.

The race pitted two businesspersons with deep ties to the region. Both were educated, experienced, and capable of serving.

Dinkins, a native of Piedmont, carried Wayne, Reynolds, and Washington counties. In Wayne County, Dinkins carries every precinct but absentees. In Wayne County, Dinkins received 977 votes and Scaggs 612. Reynolds County, which has traditionally been a Democratic county, favored Dinkins 621-529. In Washington County, Dinkins had 676 votes to Scaggs’ 403.

Scaggs, who is Iron County presiding commissioner and owns a business in Wayne County, carried Iron County 1155-724.

This was one of four special elections in Missouri Tuesday. Republicans claimed three of those seats. Dinkins and the other winners will be sworn in and take office as soon as election results are certified.