Stage is set for November general election in local races
Sheriff Mark Buchanan
By Becky Long
Publisher
There’s no need to remove his name from the county stationary, Mark Buchanan will serve as sheriff for the next four years.
In the 2022 primary, Buchanan won by a large margin against opponent and fellow Republicans, Joe Shook and candidate George Elver.
In Tuesday’s election Buchanan ascended to his second term with almost 85 percent of the vote while Shook came in with 15 percent.
The unofficial ballot count is 1,966 to 350 votes in Buchanan’s favor. Enough votes for him to consider it a mandate.
“I am beyond grateful for the overwhelming support and vote of confidence by the people of Clay County,” Buchanan said.
“More than anything, beyond winning the election, I was hoping for a strong mandate for the dedicated men and women who make up our sheriff’s office administration.
“The mandate the people of Clay County gave us yesterday will not be forgotten and allow us to more effectively serve the citizenry throughout our next term” Buchanan said.
In the county commission race for three seats on the board, Dwight McClure got the most votes with 1,192 followed by Andy James with 1,063 and Jason A. Rickett with 1,043.
“I consider it an honor and appreciate very much the vote of confidence from the citizens of Clay County,” McClure said Wednesday morning.
McClure, James and Rickett will be joined by other candidates on the November ballot, Sandy Zimmerman running unaffiliated and Keyla Youngblood on the Democratic Party ticket.
The three seats on the board are currently filled by Chairman Rob Peck, Clay Logan and Scotty Penland all of whom declined to run for re-election.
In the school board race, incumbent board Chairman Jason Shook received almost 25 percent of the vote to claim the top spot in that race.
Also winning the primary were Brett Woody with 1,406 votes and Kevin Crawford with 1,233.
Current members Robert Caldwell and Kelly Crawford did not seek re-election.
Shook said he was grateful for the continued support.
“Over the past 12 years, I’ve been incredibly grateful for the trust, encouragement and support from the Clay County community. They have allowed me to serve and work alongside so many dedicated families, and educators which has truly been an honor,” Shook said.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, stay engaged and care deeply about the future of our schools and community,” he said. “Your support means more than I can express, and I’m thankful for the trust the community has placed in me.”
Joining Shook, Woody and Crawford on the November general election ballot for school board is Marcelline “Marcy” Fuerch who qualified to run as an unaffiliated candidate.
Overall the election went well, according to Board of Elections Director Rebecca Hall.
“I would like to thank all the precinct workers for a job well done and to all my staff and board members thank you till next time,” she said.
Though it was smooth at the polls, the turnout could be considered dismal with only 29 percent of registered voters casting ballots, not including provisionals.
Total turn-out this year was 2,931 voters with 576 of them requesting a Democrat ballot and 2,355 a Republican ballot.
There are a little over 10,000 registered voters in Clay County.
Four years ago the primary turnout was 32 percent.
There will be no run-offs in the local election, Hall confirmed, but on the state and federal level that has not been determined.
If there are runoffs, those are scheduled for May 12.