Landslide victories in Jackson County
By CARA WILLIAMS, cwilliams@newsandsentinel.comRIPLEY — Election day in Jackson County brought the passage of three levies and landslide victories for some.
In the magistrate race, Republican incumbent Tom Reynolds took nearly 74 percent of the vote, receiving 2,754 votes to James Pesetsky’s 970. However, both candidates will still be on the ballot for the General Election in November against Democratic incumbent Jackie Casto.
In the Jackson County Commission race, Tommy Nutter beat Scott Staats with 2,736 votes to Staats’ 1,999, taking just under 58 percent to win the Democratic nomination. However, the Republican side of the ticket wasn’t as close with Mitch Morrison beating out Chasity Williams with 72 percent of the vote. Morrison received 2,345 votes while Williams had 879.
Jo Boggess-Phillips also won big, taking 64 percent of the vote for the Democratic nomiation for the 12th District House of Delegates against Chad Slater. Phillips received 2,133 votes to Slater’s 1,156.
The ambulance, school board and library levies also passed in Jackson County with all receiving more than 60 percent of the vote.
The ambulance levy received 67 percent of the vote with 5,809 voting for and 2,795 voting against.
“I’m glad that so many people felt moved to vote for the levy,” said Lori Pierson, chief of EMS operations for Jackson County.
The school board levy received 5,656 votes for and 3,129 votes against taking more than 64 percent of the vote, while the library levy received 67 percent of the vote with 5,878 for and 2,857 against.
Suzette Lowe, director Jackson County Libraries, said she appreciated the confidence of the voters and will work to continue to improve the services the library offers.
In the race for Jackson County Board of Education, Steve Chancey took 3,919 votes followed by Thomas Layne III with 3,701 and Jack Wiseman with 3,673. Wiseman will serve two years of an unexpired term left vacant when Jo Boggess-Phillips resigned to take a teaching position.
