Kleindienst wins contest for county commissioner

Randall L. Kleindienst, right, discusses his victory for Eastern District Callaway County Commissioner with a relative, Mike Leipard of Columbia during the Republican election watch Tuesday night in Fulton. Kleindienst defeated Democrat challenger Bryant Liddle.
Randall L. Kleindienst, right, discusses his victory for Eastern District Callaway County Commissioner with a relative, Mike Leipard of Columbia during the Republican election watch Tuesday night in Fulton. Kleindienst defeated Democrat challenger Bryant Liddle.

Republican Randall L. Kleindienst is the newly elected Eastern District Callaway County Commissioner, defeating Democrat Bryant Liddle, 4,865 to 3,263, a landslide margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.

Kleindienst and Liddle were competing for the Eastern District seat now held by Gabe Craighead, who decided not to seek re-election after losing a race for county recorder in 2010.

"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people of Callaway County for their confidence in me. I promise to do my best to serve the people of Callaway County in the office," Kleindienst said.

Kleindienst is a licensed real estate sales representative for the last 17 years. He also has been a builder and developer of residential homes. For the last 24 years, he has worked at the Callaway County Road and Bridge Department.

In countywide absentee votes, Kleindienst had 400 votes compared to 308 for Liddle, a margin of 56 percent to 43 percent.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.