Slatton grabs slim win over Bryant
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The trustee race, however, ended up being the only closely contested race of the night aside from some County Commission races. Only 5,032, or 23 percent, of Warren County’s registered voters took part in the Democratic Primary.
“The turnout was very low,” said Election Administrator Donna Yates. “I was really surprised. But, when you look back to the primary in 1998, there were a lot more races contested in the primary, including judicial races.”
For Slatton, who won with 46 percent of the vote to Bryant’s 40 percent, the race marked the closest she has come to defeat in her long career as trustee.
“It feels good. This was a very interesting evening,” said Slatton, surrounded by family and friends at the administrative office building where many candidates awaited the returns Tuesday evening. “Darlene ran a real good race.”
Slatton garnered 2,201 votes to Bryant’s 1,903. The pair was trailed by Don Alexander who finished with 653 votes, or 14 percent. Slatton will now move on to face independent Emily Ann Smithson Panter in the general election Aug. 1.
“Campaigning is in my blood,” Slatton said. “I look forward to campaigning again this summer.”
For first-term incumbent register of deeds Terry Smith, the night was not as nerve wracking as he won all 21 precincts in defeating Randy England. Smith garnered 65 percent or 3,032 votes, to England’s 35 percent, or 1,602 votes. The margin was quite a change from when the two last met in 1998 when Smith edged England in a crowded race by just over 100 votes.
“I’m tickled to death,” Smith said. “It was different this time as an incumbent. I think more people knew who I was and I think I’ve done a good job. Randy ran a good race.”
Smith will face Susan Curtis in the general election Aug. 1.
“I’ll take a day or two off from campaigning and then I’ll be back at it again for the final push,” Smith said.
For County Clerk David Smartt, there will be no summer campaign as he soundly defeated his only opponent Tuesday during the primary.
Smartt, who will now begin his fifth term, took 85 percent or 4,023 votes against Jeff McGee, who finished with 15 percent or 720 votes.
“It feels real good,” Smartt said. “I want to thank God and the people of Warren County for the faith they’ve placed in me. I want to commend Jeff on a good, clean campaign.”
Smartt admits he is happy to have no opposition in the general election, allowing him to concentrate solely on bettering the clerk’s office.
“We’ve come a long ways since I first took office,” Smartt said. “And, we’re looking at a lot more changes.”
Smartt said about 400 people visit his office daily, about half of which use the drive-up window which he put in for their convenience.
“I also want to thank my wife for putting up with my politicking all these years,” Smartt said.
In other races, incumbent Sheriff Jackie Matheny received 4,070 complementary votes. He will face independents Doc Smith and Everett Pearsall in the general election.
Kenneth Rogers received 3,588 complementary votes for county executive. He will face independents Bob Warren and incumbent Carol Hamblen in the general election.
Road Superintendent Harold Glenn and Circuit Court Clerk Bernie Morris will face no opposition this election season.