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|  |  By Kristen Johnson, Staff Writer - LEXINGTON — Tuesday evening was an evening of firsts. For the first time in 12 years, Democrats will have representation on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners. And for quite possibly the first time ever, an incumbent sheriff has been elected to a third term in office. Thousands of the county’s voters made their way to the polls Tuesday after a sharply abbreviated campaign season. After making their choices at the polls, it was standing room only as some 300 Democrats and 350 Republicans packed the exhibit hall at the county’s fairgrounds and the Lexington YMCA, respectively, to await the results. Quick work on the parts of county and state elections officials and county computer technicians fixed the problems that delayed the posting of primary results back in September, resulting in what county elections director Ruth Huneycutt said was a “pretty smooth night.” “It was a bit rocky at the beginning, since we had two new precinct workers,” Huneycutt said. “But once things got going, it was pretty smooth.” Early results posted around 9 p.m. showed Democrat Roy Holman with a 12-percent lead over incumbent Republican Sheriff Gerald Hege In spite of a solid early lead by Holman, Hege said he was confident early in the evening. “A heavy turnout makes you feel good,” he said. “It’s a good indication that the county’s Republicans are turning out to vote.” “I’m just burning up inside,” Holman said as his lead remained steady at 12 percent. “We’ve worked so hard, and we’re looking better than we did in the primary.” Close to 10 p.m., Holman’s lead slowly diminished, and was eventually overtaken. Unofficial results showed Hege winning a third term as the county’s sheriff by a margin of slightly more than 1,700 votes. “Mr. Hege just got the same votes he did last time around,” Holman said. “We did improve our vote totals a tremendous amount, though.” While Holman stopped just short of saying he would try a third time, he did say “it’s a distinct possibility.” Holman ran against Hege in 1998, garnering 44 percent of the vote. Unofficial results posted Tuesday evening awarded Holman 48 percent, or 21,353 votes. Hege finished with 52 percent, or 23,095 votes. “I really wasn’t nervous,” Hege said after the results had come in. “I knew the bigger precincts would come through for me, and they did. “I didn’t campaign much, and I never have. I just ran on my record and my work. I think his mudslinging hurt him.” Hege said “business as usual” would continue at the sheriff’s office. Max Walser emerged from a tight race for four seats on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners as the only Democrat to earn a seat on the board. Of the nine candidates competing in Tuesday’s election, Walser was the top vote-getter. Unofficial results showed him garnering 14 percent, or 22,924 votes. “Oh, I’m not nervous,” Walser said with a grin early in the evening. “Have you ever been superintendent of schools? But seriously, there’s a lot of adrenaline flowing.” Keeping a sharp eye on the results as he talked to reporters, Walser called himself “cautiously optimistic,” but once the evening’s unofficial results were posted, Walser was one big smile. “It’s great,” he said. “I will work with my fellow commissioners to provide the best government we can in Davidson County.” Republicans Sam Watford, Don Truell and incumbent Cindy Akins were also elected to the board. Unofficial results placed Watford a close second with 14 percent, or 22,820 votes. “I can’t help but be nervous,” Watford said with a grin. “This is the big time. I’m just a country boy, and I’ve made it to the big time.” Former Thomasville mayor, councilmember and chief of police Don Truell was also elected to the board. Unofficial results awarded Truell with 14 percent, or 22,444 votes. “I’m not really nervous. Tomorrow, I’m going to play golf, whether I win or lose,” he said. “This is the ultimate.” “I’m not nervous. I’m just ready,” said current board vice-chair Akins. “Give me another four years. I’m ready.” Unofficial results showed Akins earning 21,635 votes, or 13 percent, just edging out fellow incumbent Rick Lanier. Lanier also earned 13 percent, but unofficial results had him with only 21,385 votes — just 250 votes behind Akins. Lanier earned a place on the Nov. 5 ballot by just three votes — but after a recount had been conducted at the request of incumbent Republican Fred McClure, that margin increased to eight. Democrat Loretta Martin placed sixth in the running with 11 percent, or 17,513 votes. Behind her was Democrat Watson Gregg with 10 percent, or 15,806 votes. Democrat Charles Kennedy Jr. won 9 percent, or 15,043 votes, while Libertarian Steve Nelson won 2 percent, or 3,525 votes. “It’s not the end of the world, however it goes,” Martin said with a smile. “And whether I win or not, I’ve got a lot of campaign signs to take down tomorrow.” Republican Elizabeth Dole earned a seat on the U.S. Senate, winning 62 percent of the state’s vote over competitor Erskine Bowles, who earned just 36 percent, according to unofficial results. In Davidson County, Cynthia Barnhill edged out April Wood by 301 votes for the 22nd District Judge seat held by incumbent Judge Mark Culler. However, vote totals from Davie, Alexander and Iredell counties are also figured into the District Court Judge races. Earlier in the campaign season, Culler withdrew from the race. Unofficial results showed Mary Covington earning 66 percent of the vote over incumbent Martin Gottholm for that 22nd District Judge seat. Gottholm won just 34 percent of the vote for that race. Democrat L. Hugh Holliman retained his place as the 81st District state House representative, earning 53 percent, or 9,026 votes. Holliman won over Lexington councilmember John Walser Jr., who earned 44 percent or 7,526 votes. After running unopposed, Brian Shipwash was re-elected to Clerk of Court and Ronnie Callicutt was re-elected to Register of Deeds. The county will canvass its votes at 11 a.m. Friday morning. The state will canvass votes on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Still remaining to be added to the county’s tally are provisional votes, election day transfer votes, and curbside votes. “It’s been a long, long evening,” said county elections director Ruth Huneycutt with a sigh. “A long evening.” Staff writer Kristen Johnson can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 232, or at johnson@tvilletimes.com. |
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