By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

PINEVILLE, Mo. — With turnout at just over 23 percent, McDonald County voters on Tuesday decided contested primaries for sheriff, County Commission seats and coroner.

Eight candidates filed between the Democratic and Republican primaries to replace Sheriff Don Schlessman, who is not seeking re-election.

Gregg Sweeten outdistanced five Republican challengers to win his party’s nomination for sheriff, finishing with 900 votes. He was followed by John Bunch, 536 votes; Brandon Beshears, 444 votes; Thomas Coble, 89 votes; Ivan Russell, 68 votes; and Luap McKeever, 20 votes.

Sweeten, 43, of Pineville, is currently chief deputy in McDonald County and director of the county’s emergency management services.

Krystin Lewis, of Pineville, said she has known Sweeten for years and that she knows he has character. That was why she cast her vote for him.

“I think he would be a great sheriff,” she said outside the polling place at Pineville Christian Church.

Sweeten will take on Robert M. Evenson in the general election. Evenson on Tuesday edged out rival Jeff Sutherland for the Democratic nomination by a margin of 513 to 246.

Evenson, 37, served as sheriff of McDonald County from 2001 to 2004 after winning the November 2000 election. He lost to Schlessman in 2004.

Experience was the chief reason Bob Mears, of rural Pineville, said he supported Evenson.

“He has been there before,” said Mears, who also cited Evenson’s willingness to work with other law-enforcement agencies and his professional demeanor.

Between the two parties, a total of seven candidates were in the running for the Eastern District commission seat.

In that race, Republican incumbent Sam Gaskill moved one step closer to a second term after fending off four challengers. Gaskill, 76, was first elected to the commission in 2004.

Gaskill finished with 405 votes, followed by Joe Stephens, 276 votes; Darrel Watson, 148 votes; Clarence Scott, 147 votes; and Beverly Longnecker, 123 votes.