Incumbent Rebecca Burton will win re-election as the Newton County Coroner after affidavit ballots were counted earlier today in the Election Commissioner's Office in Decatur.
The results, which were released by Circuit Clerk Mike Butler, showed Burton with 1,978 votes compared to her challenger, Butch Meaders, who obtained 1,956. Based on yesterday's results, Burton picked up 8 votes while Meaders got 6 more today.
Butler said there are only seven Republican ballots that have not yet been returned through the mail, but it will not be enough to overcome the 22-vote margin.
Because there is no Democratic or Independent challenger, Burton will be unopposed in the general election. She was elected in a special election last year after the Newton County Board of Supervisors appointed her to finish out the remainder after longtime Coroner Danny Shoemaker retired early in the year.
Check www.newtoncountyappeal.com and next week's edition for more on the election.
Other races
In the Tax Assessor/Collector Republican Primary, Ben Kelly easily defeated Peter Russell with 75% of the vote. Kelly will now face longtime Democratic incumbent May Bender in the general election.
Stephen Horne
In the House District 81 Republican Primary, incumbent Stephen Horne was declared the winner over Ben Shirley. There is no Democratic challenger.
Only one local race will be headed to a run-off in the primaries. The Supervisor Beat 3 Republican Primary will feature Terry Vance and John Everett after the two held a significant lead on the field. Vance was in the lead with 417 votes (45.8%) followed by Everett with 316 votes (34.7%), Chris McElhenney with 91 votes (10%) and Danny Wayne Haralson with 87 votes (9.5%). The winner of the run-off will face two independent candidates Blake Germany and Jesse Vance.
Harrison
In the Beat 2 Supervisor Republican Primary, incumbent Joe Alexander was defeated by Jeffery Harrison, who garnered 58.8% of the vote compared to Alexander's 41.2%. There is no Democratic challenger.
In the Beat 1 Democratic Primary, Terry Frazier defeated O'Neil Broach with 68% of the vote. He will face Republican challenger Robert Stewart, who was unopposed in his primary.
In the Beat 4 Supervisor Republican Primary, incumbent Charles Godwin garnered 90% of the vote against Charles Edward Creel, who had suspended his campaign. Godwin will face Democratic Challenger Gary Turner, who was unopposed in his primary.
Aaron Clark
In the Beat 5 Republican Primary, Aaron Clark easily defeated Joey Hand and Robert Wyatt with 62.7% of the vote. He will face Democratic challenger Carroll Johnson and independent candidate Randy L. Patrick.
