Tuesday's down-to-the-wire race for the Northern District commissioner seat was everything Hampson expected coming in. "Every vote was going to count and every door you knocked on meant something," he said after the election. Finally, Hampson could breathe a sigh of relief. Unofficial election totals showed Hampson recorded 3,634 votes or 51 percent of the total to edge Democrat Rich Helton who received 3,454 votes or 48.70 percent. Hampson was unsure of the outcome until he bagan to pull away as the final precincts were reported. Hampson prevailed in five of nine precincts, capturing more votes than Helton in Weeks, Warrenton Ward 2, Warrenton Ward 3, Pendleton and North Elkhorn. He also held a 338-296 advantage in absentee votes. "I am still pretty numb," Hampson said. "It was close. It could have went either way. In a Democrat year, it's tough to win one like this." Hampson will be sworn in Jan. 2, 2009. He advanced to this week's General Election when he knocked off incumbent Jim Logan in the August primary. When Hampson begins his term, he will be joined by fellow Republican Hubert Kluesner, who won the Southern District commissioner nod. Hampson wants to use his insight and ideas to improve the county and help attract more businesses and jobs. He also wants to bring in a college institution into the area. He campaigned on the idea of being a full-time commissioner. He plans on retiring from MEMC where he is employed as a electronic technician/electrician. Hampson acknowledged the need for more cooperation among the commissioners when he takes office. "I look for us to work together and try to do what is best for the county," Hampson said. "I believe Hubie, Arden (Engelage, presiding commissioner) and myself have that in common." Helton, a Wright City resident, was bidding to become the first Democrat elected to a commissioner seat in Warren County. He won precincts at Lakeview Estates, Wright City Ward 1, Wright City Ward 2 and Hickory Grove North. "I would have loved to have been the commissioner of the county, but it wasn't meant to be," Helton said. "I really don't think we have anything to be ashamed of. I think we made a good race out of it." Both candidates also offered congratulations to one another for their strong campaigns. "I would have loved to have won, but you know the voters spoke and Dan's going to do us a great job," Helton said. "He's a good guy. He will make us a good commissioner." Hampson added: "He was a great quality gentleman. It could have gone either way. I was glad to see it was a good clean race."