Paul Schimpf poses at his campaign headquarters with his father, William; step-mom, Betty; and son Garrett as they celebrate his primary win for the Republican nod to run for the 58th district. Schimpf’s wife, Lori, was a home nursing Garrett’s brother, Ethan, who was sick.

Nearly half of Monroe County’s registered voters showed up at the polls Tuesday for the primary election, which determined five local races of interest and two important school tax measures. Voter turnout was reported at 47 percent county-wide.

In the race to succeed retiring State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld for the 58th District, Paul Schimpf of Waterloo defeated Sharee Langenstein of Murphysboro, 71 to 29 percent. He will face Democrat Sheila Simon in November.

“I have a lot of flaws as a person, but laziness is not one of them,” Schimpf said. “I will never be outworked. I will continue working hard as we move into the general election campaign.”

And for Republican Monroe County Commissioner, Vicki Koerber defeated Mark Altadonna, 58 to 42 percent, in an attempt to fill the seat to be vacated by Terry Liefer. Koerber will face Democrat Leo Stephan in November.

“I am humbled and honored to go forward into the Nov. 8 election,” Koerber told the Republic-Times late Tuesday night. “I have a lot of people to thank, but mostly I thank Monroe County citizens and my supporters. I promise faithfully to do a good job representing Monroe County.”

For Republican Monroe County State’s Attorney, Chris Hitzemann garnered 52 percent of the vote to Myron Hanna’s 48 percent. For Democrat Monroe County State’s Attorney, Heather Dabler garnered 54 percent of the vote to Dennis Field’s 46 percent. Hitzemann and Dabler will face off in November.

Republican coroner candidate Bob Hill defeated Wayne “Doc” Kohlmeier, 57 to 43 percent.

On the education front, both school referendums passed. The County School Facilities Tax, which will benefit all Monroe County school districts, passed by a margin of 52 to 48 percent, while the Valmeyer five-year bond referendum renewal easily passed with 77 percent of the voters in its favor.

For the full story of the election, pick up a copy of the March 16 Republic-Times, available by mid-afternoon Wednesday at the R-T office and on newsstands. To subscribe to our online edition, which is delivered to inboxes late Wednesday mornings, click here.