Arnold Mayor Mark Powell offered hearty congratulations today to Florissant State Rep. Clint Zweifel, who defeated him in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for treasurer.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage you to give your full support to Clint in his efforts to become the next state treasurer,” Powell wrote to supporters. “I will do whatever I can to help.  He is a tremendous young man with unlimited potential.”

Powell also extended accolades to the other Democrats in the race, former Kansas City mayor Charlie Wheeler and Andria Simckes of Creve Coeur — “I will help them in any future political ventures they should undertake,” Powell said.

For his part, Powell — who was the Democratic nominee for treasurer in 2004 –  has plenty reason to be proud.

On a shoestring budget, Powell garnered 92,850 votes, coming in second to Zweifel, who was buoyed by support from the Teamsters and other unions.

Powell did very well, perhaps inexplicably so, outstate, winning by wide margins in places like Dunklin and New Madrid County in the Bootheel.

Maybe being first on the ballot goes a long way?