Editor
jevans@pickenssentinel.com
PICKENS COUNTY - The voters have spoken and the polls are closed, with Sheriff C. David Stone, Kandy Kelley, Sam Wyche, Pat Welborn, Brent Suddeth winning their local races.
Unofficial results were released to the media and the public around 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
Sheriff C. David Stone will serve Pickens County for another term in his nearly 40-year tenure as Pickens County Sheriff.
Stone won the sheriff's race in the Republican primary with 7,032 votes. Challenger Rick Clark capturing 5,557 and Brian Garrett taking home 1,229 votes.
Campaigning on his department's track record, Stone promised Pickens County voters that he would fight the growing influence of gangs on young people, to continue working with neighborhood watch programs, and to keep battling drugs, particular methamphetamine.
It's been a banner year for Sheriff Stone. In Feb. Stone was awarded the SC Order of the Palmetto - the states highest civilian honor - for his achievements during his career.
Stone will face Democrat challenger Robert Crooks in November.
Deputy Coroner Kandy Kelley will serve as Pickens County Coroner after her primary win.
Kelley captured 7,994 votes, beating opponent Mitchell Davis, who garnered 3,055 votes and Tommy Smith with 2,350 votes.
Kelley is unopposed in the November election.
Pat Welborn capture 4,884 votes - 36 percent of the vote, overcoming opponents Ben Finley (3,579 votes), Jimmy Moore (3,153 votes) and Ben Mann (1,707)
Welborn is unopposed in November.
Deputy Auditor Brent Suddeth will capture the Auditor vote with 7,361 votes over April Page Gillespie's 5,572 votes.
Suddeth is unchallenged by Democrats.
Sam Wyche will take the County Council District 3 seat. Wyche bested incumbent Ben Trotter with 2,229 votes over Trotter's 1,450.
Wyche will face Democratic challenger Wesley Burbage in November.
Sen. Larry Martin will serve another term for District 2, with a win over Central Mayor Mac Martin. Sen. Martin captured 9,859 votes over Mac Martin's 2,242.
Rep. B.R. Skelton defeated Trey Whitehurst, with Skelton drawing 1,524 votes to Whitehurst's 1,280.
Skelton faces Democratic opponent Jason Gale in November.
As results were unofficial at press time, vote totals are subject to change.
Word on run-offs was not immediately available.
See The Pickens Sentinel, The Easley Progress and both papers' Web sites for news on any run-offs, scheduled for June 24.
Post a Comment
