|  |  By John Carson, Editor - Tuesday’s primary proved to be just your typical election day — a few surprises, a few certainties confirmed, an upset or two...oh yeah, and computer glitches.
With 120 minutes sleep and another full day with the nose to the grindstone (no jokes, please. It’s been busted enough) under the belt, assessment of Tuesday’s events can start to be made as the smoke clears some.
Definitely topping the list were surprises — full blown, subtle and some coupled with certainties confirmed.
The biggest surprises were in the GOP Board of Commissioner race.
Not only was it interesting to see Sam Watford emerge as the top Republican voter-getter, but he did so by topping three incumbent commissioners.
What’s the message being sent here?
Couple Watford’s showing with the fact that former Thomasville Mayor Don Truell also advanced to the November general election, and some interesting smoke signals are wafting in the breeze.
With Truell garnering less than 200 fewer votes than incumbent Cindy Akins and besting two other incumbents in the process, it should tell someone that even members of the Republican Party — whose members dominate the current board of commissioners — aren’t exactly doing cartwheels, and are looking for a change.
For those wanting change, there is one that is given — there will be at least one new commissioner after Nov. 5.
As if to thumb their noses at all those folks who believe their votes don’t count and subsequently stay away from the polls, the plight of incumbent Fred McClure — and potentially fellow incumbent Rick Lanier — tells everyone how important just one, two or three people voting can make in a race.
When the final tally had been ciphered and summed Tuesday, McClure found himself on the short end of the stick.
As it turns out, McClure failed to win a trip back to the general election by just three votes.
Three votes — not percent of votes, but just votes.
Lanier literally edged McClure, 4,546-4,543, to nail down the GOP’s last spot on the November ballot.
While not all votes had been counted as of late Wednesday, McClure was left out in the cold because of three measly votes.
On the other hand, Lanier — who currently has made the big show — may have his ticket revoked if a final tally favors McClure.
If that happens, then McClure’s in and Lanier’s out.
But then again, if Lanier still prevails in the final count, then he stays put as a qualifier and McClure has to go home.
Confusing?
Welcome to the world of politics.
Despite finishing sixth in the GOP commisioner battle, John Faust made a good showing, and Paul Housand’s was decent.
Democratic results, however, tend to make one ponder.
With former Davidson County School Superintendent Max Walser and former Thomasville High teacher Loretta Martin easily outdistancing their competition, one wonders if the votes were really for the candidates and their platforms or maybe out of fear of detention.
Of the certainties confirmed were Stan Bingham’s essential re-election to the N.C. Senate.
Now in the newly formed 33rd District, Bingham lost challenger Ronald Coleman in the rear view with 73 percent of the vote.
Incumbent sheriff Gerald Hege, as expected, found no ambushes in the jungles of the primary.
Charlie out there, though, and somehow you just have to smile inside over Charlie Hayworth’s showing.
Although he finished last on the GOP side, Hayworth had more votes than four of the five Democratic sheriff hopefuls.
Roy Holman’s runaway in the Democratic sheriff race was a surprise wrapped a reasonable certainty.
Clearing the front-runner going in, few would have thought Holman would so smoke his competition.
With Holman and Hege squaring off again — and the commissioners’ race — it’s going to be a lot of fun over the next couple of months.
* * * * *
A big doff of the chapeau to all the candidates in Tuesday’s primary.
With some races vertiably knee deep in the mire, all the candidates took the high road during the campaign.
The lack of mudslinging — and in some instances where it was almost begging to be tossed — was admirable, and a definite breath of fresh air into what often-times becomes the cess pool of politics.
Bravo to each and all, and good luck to those who moved ahead.
John Carson is managing editor of the Times and can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 229.
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