By TINA ROSS and NAPORSHA WILLIAMS

(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – John Marr and his supporters clapped and yelled loudly Tuesday night after Marr handily won the eastern commissioner race in Johnson County.

Marr, 52, of Warrensburg, defeated Robert D. Simmons by earning nearly 63 percent of the vote, winning 6,731-3,978. Marr celebrated his victory with other members of the Republican Party at Old Barney’s Bar and Grill in downtown Warrensburg. It was a private party full of excited supporters, beer and pizza.

“It feels amazing to win,” Marr said. “I will make it my duty to listen to the concerns of Johnson County.”

Marr defeated the incumbent commissioner, Scott Sader, in the August Republican primary by earning more than 58 percent of the vote.

“I would also like to thank the voters and my supporters,” Marr said.

This was the first time both candidates had run for office. Marr said the first thing he plans to do as commissioner is look into the old courthouse being reroofed and the infrastructure of the county.