Elisha Moree defeated Joy Baughman in the Republican runoff Tuesday for Marion County chancery clerk in the race to succeed the retiring incumbent, Cass Barnes.
In other races Tuesday, Jessie Graham won for coroner, Brandon Rowell for District 1 Justice Court judge and Krae Morgan for District 1 constable.
In the runoff between the two deputy chancery clerks, Moree took 58 percent of the vote, according to unofficial but complete returns. She had 3,317 votes versus 2,392 for Baughman.
Moree said she’s very grateful and appreciates everyone having faith in her and in having her represent the Republican Party come November.
Baughman congratulated Moree Tuesday night at the courthouse.
Moree, 35, will now face Darrick McGowan, 43, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the Nov. 5 general election.
The chancery clerk keeps records for chancery court and also has broad administrative duties in the county.
For coroner, Graham faced Carla Thornhill after they were the top vote-getters in the Aug. 6 primary among four candidates seeking to replace longtime incumbent Norma Williamson, who did not seek re-election.
Graham received 3,090 votes (54 percent) versus 2,605 (46 percent) for Thornhill, according to unofficial totals. He will be unopposed in the Nov. 5 general election.
“I am very humbled and grateful on how Marion County voted. I look forward to working with Norma as I become the new coroner,” Graham said.
The coroner declares all deaths in the county.
In the District 1 Justice Court judge race, Rowell, a nurse at Marion General Hospital, easily dispatched Joseph Turney, a Columbia lawyer. Rowell had 63 percent in unofficial totals.
“I am very thankful for all of the support I received in District 1, and I look forward to November,” Rowell said.
Turney posted on Facebook Tuesday night, “Well Marion County, you have spoken. Congratulations to Brandon Paul Rowell. The Lord’s will be done.”
Rowell will go up against Democrat A.D. Lenoir in the general election as they look to succeed incumbent Sharon Hatfield Whitfield, who did not run again.
For District 1 constable, Krae Morgan topped Gary Holman for the GOP nomination, getting about 56 percent, according to unofficial but complete results.
Morgan will now face Democratic incumbent Brian Foxworth in November.
Pictured Above: Elisha Moree, left, watches the results for chancery clerk come in with her mother, Lisa Williamson, by her side. Moree got 58 percent in the runoff. | Photo by Susan Amundson
