News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE -- The St. Clair County Democratic party endorsed Mearl Justus on Wednesday night to run for an eighth term as county sheriff after Coroner Rick Stone, who had eyed the job for himself, dropped his candidacy and gave a brief speech urging party unity.
"The Democratic Party is utmost in my heart," said Stone, 64, following a 45-minute meeting of the county Democratic selection committee at Bel-Air Bowl, formerly known as Panorama Lanes, the traditional meeting location. Stone will remain the county's coroner.
The session followed a day of considerable telephoning and turmoil among Democratic precinct committeemen after St. Clair County Clerk Bob Delaney was quoted in a front page News-Democrat story on Wednesday calling for Justus to step aside and criticized his running of the department.
Rick Stone, left, and Mearl Justus. - BND
After he was nominated, Justus said, "I don't have any animosity toward Bobby. Bobby spoke before he thought. I'll leave it at that."
Justus, 77, said his age shouldn't be a factor because he is capable of carrying out another four year term as the county's top lawman.
"I don't judge people by their age," he said, "I judge them by their actions."
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