Kelley wins White County sheriff’s race; Ferguson and Jackson in probate court runoff

(Cleveland)- White County has a new sheriff come January following what was described as a surprising outright win by candidate Rick Kelley in the primary voting from Tuesday.

Kelley jumped ahead with the early votes and absentee ballots and then kept up the pace as each of the precincts came in during the night.  The final vote was Kelley 3,792 votes to second-highest vote-getter Aaron Autry 2,170. Other vote totals were: John Murphy 886 votes, William Garrett 283, and Jeffery Ramey 213 votes.

Kelley said after the outcome was obvious, “I’m honored and humbled and can’t believe the support I’ve gotten and to make it without a runoff, cause I came in here anticipating a runoff. That’s what i was prepared for. I’m amazed, it still hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s pretty emotional.”

There will be a runoff for Probate Judge between top vote-getter Don Ferguson and Carol Jackson. Ferguson received 3,242 votes, Jackson 2,812, with Cam Greene 698 votes and Randall Townley 550. Ferguson commented ” It’s been really great being a candidate, I appreciate everyone’s help and support. The first time I’ve ever done anything like this, it’s really nice. Got the opportunity to meet a lot of the great people here in the county and I’d appreciate everybody’s help and support come runoff day.

In the District one County Commission seat Incumbent, Terry Goodger won reelection b beating challenger Jerry Nicholson. Goodger received 1,276 votes to Nicholson’s 383.

The only other contested race in the county voting was for the Board of Education Chair.  Incumbent Missy Jarrard easily won receiving 4,790 votes to challenger Carly Saxon Adam’s 2,369 votes.

The results of the E-SPLOST  6,160 yes votes were cast to 2,325 no votes.

White County Election Superintendent Garrison Baker said it was a good turnout with 43.6 percent of the 20,039 registered voters casting ballots.  ” I can say I’m well pleased with the system, I’m well pleased with the way everybody worked, we’ll do it again in August, it looks like we do have a runoff,” said Baker.

In the City of Cleveland, there were two special elections held Tuesday, Josh Turner won the Mayor’s seat by received 342 votes to Annie Sutton’s 306. In the Council Ward 2 race, Rebecca Yardley was the winner Yardley received 307 votes to challenger Felicia Sutton 270.

White County Election Results