By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
A half-cent sales tax designed to increase the starting salary for St. Joseph Police officers will pass in Buchanan County.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting in Buchanan County, 13,775 people, or 70.49% of voters, voted in favor of the half-cent sales tax increase, compared to 5,767 no votes, or 29.51%.
The sales tax hike is expected to raise $5.5 million annually. It will pay for an increase in starting police pay to $49,000 a year and three percent increases annually.
The tax has a 20-year sunset clause. The St. Joseph Police Department has 23 vacancies currently as well.
Elsewhere, Republican Scott Nelson has defeated Democrat Andrew Gibson for Buchanan County commissioner. Nelson garnered 16,542 votes (68.43%) over Gibson's 7,602 (31.45%).
Missouri U.S. Senate and House races
Republican attorney general Eric Schmitt has defeated Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine for the U.S. Senate seat left open by Roy Blunt's retirement.
Schmitt was up 58.78% - 38.82% - leading by more than 140,000 votes, when the race was called with over 28 percent reporting.
Veteran incumbent and Republican Congressman Sam Graves has again won reelection. The Tarkio native had a heavy lead over Democratic challenger Henry Martin 71% - 26.88% with over 78 percent reporting.
Missouri State Senate and House races
Chillicothe native and Republican state congressman Rusty Black has defeated Democrat challenger Michael Baumli in District 12. With 79 percent reporting, Black was up 81.3% - 18.7%.
With 100 percent of the vote reported in State Senate District 34, Parkville native and Republican Tony Luetkemeyer has defeated Democrat challenger Sarah Shorter 59.13% - 40.87%, winning by more than 11,000 votes.
In the state house race in District 1, Republican Jeff Farnan defeated Democrat Jess Piper 75.23% - 24.77% with all precincts reporting.
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3
With over 28 percent of the vote in here, 51.25% of voters have said no to this amendment, while 48.75% have voted yes.
This would amend the state constitution to legalize marijuana use by adults age 21 and older, and would set a 6% sales tax on marijuana sales. It would also expunge arrest and conviction records of non-violent marijuana offenses, except for driving under the influence and sales to minors.
Kansas U.S. House and governor race
With over 76 percent reporting, Republican incumbent Jake LaTurner leads Democrat Patrick Schmidt 55% - 45%.
With nearly 79 percent reporting, Kansas governor Laura Kelly leads Republican challenger Derek Schmidt 51% - 46%.
More results to come, including state senate races and statewide Missouri races as more results come in. Some information has been updated since initially published.