Rhodes Wins Republican Nomination for Coroner; Bost Edges Bailey in Congressional Race

Incumbent Kim Rhodes won the Republican nomination for Effingham County Coroner Tuesday.

Rhodes defeated challenger Matthew Brown 3,964 to 2,186. At this point, Rhodes is unopposed in November as there is no Democrat candidate.

In the other contest of interest, challenger Darren Bailey of Xenia outpolled incumbent 12th District Congressman Mike Bost in Effingham County, 4,587 to 1,667. Districtwide, though, Bost narrowly defeated Bailey. With 98% of the vote reported, Bost led Bailey 48,493 to 45,903.

(CONG. MIKE BOST)

Bost issued the following statement Tuesday evening in response to his Republican primary victory:

“I’m honored that Southern Illinois conservatives have entrusted me to be their voice in Congress for another two years. Serving the people and land I love is the honor of a lifetime. Tonight’s victory was only possible because of the backing of countless friends and supporters from every corner of the district, along with a vitally important endorsement from Donald J. Trump, our next president of the United States.

“While primaries are never easy, I’m proud that we remained focused on the issues voters care about and ran a positive, results-oriented campaign. I’m hopeful we can work to reunify our party in advance of a critical general election.”

Bost will square off against Brian Roberts in the November general election. Roberts defeated Preston Nelson for the Democratic nomination.

In other races, Republican State Representatives Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville and Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City won re-nomination in the 107th District and the 110th District, respectively.

The race where the winner is not likely to be known until today at the earliest is the 102nd Legislative District where incumbent Adam Niemerg and challenger Jim Acklin are both write-in candidates.

Effingham County Clerk Michelle Kollmann has released updated numbers as to the total voter turnout for Tuesday's election. They are as follows:

Election Day--5,479

Vote By Mail--285

Early Voting--1,094

Voting in the Clerk's Office on Election Day--89