Dillon wins Democratic seat for Western commissioner

A candidate who touted his knowledge of road and bridge construction won the Democratic nomination for the Western District commissioner in a tight primary race Tuesday.

Randy Dillon won by 119, or about 11 percent of the votes, over opponent Phyllis Domann. Voters in western Pettis County cast 613 ballots, or about 55 percent, for Dillon to Domann’s 494 votes, or 44 percent.

Dillon will face Republican incumbent Larry Wilson in the November election.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “It’s nice to know I have a lot of supporters out there.”

At one point in the evening, Domann had a 20-vote edge over Dillon, with half of the precincts reporting. But, Dillon pulled ahead as the final precincts were tabulated.

Dillon, 49, of Green Ridge, has worked for Viebrock Construction for nearly 10 years.

Dillon would like to see a re-evaluation of the county’s five-road plan, as well as a quality over quantity approach. He said Tuesday evening he is concerned voters will turn down an extension of the road tax, “if we keep spending dollars wastefully.”

“Chip and seal is an area I would like us to do more of instead of asphalt,” he said.

Voters should look at the roads in the Western District when considering who to choose in November, Dillon said. Dove Road, Dresden Road and Camp Branch Road are examples of poor construction. Voters should also consider the asphalt overspend last fall, he said.

“I think it’s the commissioners’ duties to keep tabs on what is being spent and what is being used,” Dillon said.

Other issues in the November election include additional ways to support the jail and regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations, Dillon said.

Dillon credited Domann with working “extremely hard” in her campaign.

Domann, 60, who lives in the Hunter’s Ridge subdivision, said she would guess “people are more vitally concerned with roads and bridges.” Dillon’s status as a lifelong Pettis County resident could have made the difference in the election outcome.

“In a race of this sort, one really doesn’t know exactly what swings it,” Domann said.

Domann, a retired middle school teacher, campaigned on her experience in business administration and human resources. She said she is unsure if she will pursue another political office.