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November 11, 2008


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NEWS

Carroll County Ends Bellwether Status With McCain Vote

Package Liquor Approved in Bruceton

Since 1964, the nation always voted as Carroll County did in the U.S. Presidential elections. No more. The voters in Carroll County and Tennessee granted John McCain more votes than president-elect Barack Obama during the November 4 general elections. It had been a long-standing tradition of being a bellwether county. A total of 11,645 votes were cast in the presidential election - including six independent candidates and 11,863 total voters in all contests.

McCain (R-Arizona) received 64.01 percent of the vote with 7,454 compared to Obama's (D-Illinois) 3,980 votes in Carroll County. The Republican carried every precinct in Carroll County.

The nation elected the first African-American president in Obama, who along with vice president-elect Joe Biden will assume office January 20, 2009. Obama will be America's 44th president.

In other races, incumbent U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (r) with 7,254 votes, handily defeated challenger Robert Tuke (D) with 3,075 in the county. Alexander easily won re-election throughout the state.

U.S. Congressman John Tanner (D-Union City) received 8,856 complimentary votes in Carroll County in his uncontested election.

State Representative Mark Maddox (D-Dresden) received 6,286 complimentary votes in the county in his uncontested election for the 76th District representing Weakley County and the northern portion of Carroll County.

In the state representative race for District 79 including Gibson and the southern portion of Carroll County, Curtis Halford (R-Dyer) defeated Jim Ryal (D-Humboldt) for the seat presently held by Chris Crider (R-Milan) who did not seek re-election. Halford received 1,828 in Carroll County and 9,476 in Gibson. Ryal received 1,332 in Carroll and 9,248 in Gibson.

MCKENZIE - Two new councilmen were elected to fill the positions of Darra Adkins and Wade Allen, both of whom did not seek re-election. Shaun T. Thompson won Ward One with 170 votes in his uncontested election. Debbie Broadbent, with 154 votes, defeated Adam Cooper, 37 votes, and Jimmy Patterson, 50 votes, to win the Ward Six seat. Councilman Jerry Arthur, with 216 votes, won the Ward 2 uncontested election and incumbent Jill Holland returns with 359 votes to represent Ward 4.

BRUCETON - On the third referendum on the issue, citizens approved package liquor sales by a vote of 320 to 296. This is the first municipality to approve package liquor and will represent the lone liquor store in Carroll County.

Two incumbents were defeated in the council races in Bruceton. Steve Pinkston (246 votes) and Ernest Thorne (215 votes) lost their bid for re-election. Three newcomers were elected. Renee Ford (359 votes), Carmion Fuhrman (340 votes) and Tonya Young (405 votes) were elected to four-year terms.

TREZEVANT - Bobby Argo returns as mayor of Trezevant. Argo received 254 votes to defeat Tommy Long, 69 votes, and Lebert "Lee" Walker, 44 votes. In the Alderman races, Lloyd Bateman (274 votes), Bobby Blaylock (261 votes), Phyllis Curtis (237 votes), George Jennings (216 votes), and Billy L. Walker (233 votes) were elected. Eddie Granger (167 votes) was unsuccessful in his bid for a seat.

HUNTINGDON - Mayor Dale Kelley (1,365votes) defeated challenger Brose Park (420 votes). The council returns four incumbents including Gary Hatch (1,408 votes), Clarence Norman (1,347 votes), Nina Smothers (1,356 votes), and Tim Tucker (1,407 votes).

ATWOOD - Two aldermen were elected. Jimmy Halford (310 votes) and Ricky Long (296 votes) were elected to the two open seats.

HOLLOW ROCK - Three persons were elected to the three open seats. Maria Crocker (235 votes), Michael A. Smith (247 votes), and Rob Woods (244 votes) were elected as aldermen.

Overall, it was not a good year for Republicans nationally, with the Democrats gaining control of the United States Congress. However, Tennessee Republicans won control of both houses in the Tennessee Legislature. Tennessee Republicans picked up a net gain of three seats in the State Senate for a majority of 19-14. The GOP did even better in the State House by picking up a net gain of four seats and securing a majority in that body for the first time since the Civil War.

In light of the outcome of state races, Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-Nashville) pledged to "find common ground" with Republicans in solving the state's problems and continuing to recruit industry to locate in Tennessee in an effort to stimulate job growth.

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November 11, 2008