Published May 06, 2008 10:01 pm - Daviess County primary elections brought out 40 percent of voters Tuesday, according to Clerk Sherri Healy, yet the process went smoothly.
Primary results put new faces on the Daviess County ballot
By Sally Petty, Staff Writer
Daviess County primary elections brought out 40 percent of voters Tuesday, according to Clerk Sherri Healy, yet the process went smoothly.
There was a small problem with a machine in Elmore Township, but it was fixed promptly, said Healy. She had not heard of anyone in the county having trouble with the state law requiring voters to present a photo ID.
She attributed her successful first election as clerk to a good election board, staff and technicians.
“I didn’t have to worry,” she said. “Everything ran pretty smoothly.”
However, she does plan to approach a few things differently in the November election, such as emphasizing some points in election training.
The county council will see at least two new faces as long-time incumbent Marion Barber decided not to run, and Janet Goodwin, with 1,697 votes, came in fourth of five running for three open at-large spots.
“God’s got other plans for me,” said Goodwin. “I don’t feel bad. ... I wish everyone good luck. I’ll always be pulling for Daviess County.”
Republicans running in November will be former auditor Jo Ann McCracken, with 1,823; former Southern Indiana Development Commission director Jo Arthur, with 1,785; and incumbent Mike Sprinkle, with 1,724. The fifth candidate was Mike Russell, who received 1,033 votes. He could not be reached for comment by press time.
McCracken, Arthur and Sprinkle will run against Democrats Ed Hopkins and George Wilz in November.
After the results were in Tuesday night, McCracken said she was excited about the possibility of getting back into public service. She had spent most of the evening picking up campaign signs and listening to the results come in on the radio.
“I appreciate the support I received,” she said.
Arthur, winning her first foray into politics, said she had been nervous most of the night but was looking forward to November. Her family ate their traditional “election night pizza” before gathering at the courthouse to watch the results come in.
Mike Sprinkle was out picking up campaign signs when the vote tallies came in. He said he was ready to tackle any new mandates that come down from the state level.
“I’m appreciative of all the votes we got,” said Sprinkle. “I’m very glad and very willing to serve the residents of Daviess County if elected for another term in the fall.”
To replace retiring commissioner Steve Myers, Michael Taylor beat Cole Wolford in the Republican primary 1,639 to 1,351. Taylor will run against Democrat Dennis Breeden for the 3rd District seat in November.