The Aug. 8 primary election in Marion County led to many incumbents retaining their positions while a new Tax Assessor/Collector was elected.
With current Tax Assessor/Collector Teresa Terrell not running for reelection, Stephanie Bedwell Buhrer and Joni Simmons faced off in the Republican primary in one of the closest races of the night. Buhrer narrowly edged out Simmons with 2,152 votes to Simmons’ 2,055.
“It was a nailbiter,” Buhrer said. “I was behind the whole night, but with four boxes left (Pine Burr, Pittman, Morgantown and Darbun), I was still hopeful because that was my area. I was overwhelmed when I pulled it out.”
Buhrer said she’s appreciative of everyone who voted for her, and she’s very excited to serve all of Marion County. She added that she wants to create an environment at the Tax Assessor/Collector’s office that provides Marion Countians a courteous experience.
In the District 1 Supervisor race, Eugene “Blue” Green, who is the current Board of Supervisors president, retained his seat, earning 760 votes to Eddie Morgan’s 506. There are no Democratic challengers in District 1.
“I’m very appreciative and proud that they saw fit and thought I was doing a good enough job that they would keep me here,” Green said.
Green added his goal for this term is the same it was four years ago — roads and bridges.
“That’s the main thing with the county. The roads are all to pieces; the bridges are all to pieces,” he said. “We’re working on both. We just completed a bridge not long ago and have done several of the roads. We’re going to keep going until we get them all.”
Incumbent District 2 Supervisor John Moree narrowly advanced to the general election Nov. 7 as he received 441 votes to Mike Cooper’s 408. Moree will face Democratic challenger James Lowe, who received 157 votes while unopposed in the primary.
Both Republican Tony Morgan (737 votes) and Democrat Darrick McGowan (208) were unopposed in the District 3 Supervisor primary and will run against one another in the general election.
The race for District 4 Supervisor was solely between Republicans Raymon “Tater” Rowell and Mark “Trig” Bedwell as no Democrat ran. Rowell, the incumbent, will remain as the Beat 4 Supervisor, earning 557 votes to Bedwell’s 472.
“I’m very excited,” Rowell said of retaining his position on the board. “I appreciate all the help and support we got, but we’re going to continue to improve the roads the best we can.”
With no Republican or Democratic challenger, Democrat Calvin Newsom will remain the District 5 Supervisor.
Incumbent District 1 Constable Krae Morgan defeated Eli Turnage in the Republican primary with a 1,469-481 victory and will face Democrat Brian Foxworth in the general election.
With no Republican challenger in the primary, incumbent Sheriff Berkley Hall will face Independent Mike Childress in the general election.
State Rep. Ken Morgan, R-Morgantown will remain the District 100 Representative, besting Jacob Brogan with 2,490 votes to Brogan’s 297. District 99 State Rep. Bill Pigott, R-Tylertown ran unopposed.
In the District 41 race for the State Senate, Joey Fillingane received 3,044 votes to Robert Cole’s 1,082.
There were several Marion County officials who are running unopposed, including Coroner Jessie Graham, County Attorney Lawrence Hahn, Surveyor Vance Berry, District Attorney Hal Kittrell, Chancery Clerk Elisha Prisk Moree and Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan.
