Sharon Moats and David Cooper, candidates for Tucker County Circuit Clerk talk at the Tucker County Courthouse Tuesday following the election results. Moats took 885 votes – making her the unofficial winner of the Circuit Clerk seat. Opponents Cooper received 267 votes and Kim Ledden received 320 votes.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – The Tucker County Courthouse was packed Tuesday evening as folks waited patiently to receive the totals of the primary election. The results were slowed when a voting machine ‘froze up’ and votes from the Canaan Valley precinct had to be counted by hand. In the race for Tucker County Circuit Clerk, where three Democrat opponents were vying for one seat, Sharon Moats was the winner in each precinct with a total of 885 votes. David Cooper took 267 votes and Kim Ledden received 320 votes.
“I haven’t had time to look at all the results, but I feel grateful,” Moats said after all 11 precincts were in. “It was a journey. When I started this, I said we were going to have a positive outlook and it has been positive, and I am glad for that. Bless the Lord. I am just grateful for his blessings on me and my family.”
Moats said she was blessed to have the support of her family, friends and neighbors.
“It’s just a blessing to have that much support and I am thankful,” Moats said.
Several seats were unopposed including Sherry Simmons, Republican, who ran for Tucker County Clerk. Simmons has served as Clerk for the last 10 years and during this general election, she received 878 votes. Ray LaMora, Republican, ran unopposed for Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney gathering 833 votes. Sheriff Brian K. Wilfong, Democrat, received 1,286 votes in his unopposed race during this election. Jim B. Nester Sr. ran unopposed for the non-partisan seat as Tucker County Conservation District Supervisor, gathering 1,893 votes.
In the Tucker County Magistrate race, Riley H. Barb, from division 1 and Mont Miller, from division 2, both ran unopposed for their respective seats. Barb had 1,804 votes and Miller had 2,022 votes. The Tucker County Board of Education had two seats up for grabs. Tim Turner, incumbent, received 1,469 votes while Chopper Evans received 1,615 votes.
Two candidates are vying for a seat on the Tucker County Commission. Incumbent Lowell Moore, Republican received 885 votes and Roxanne D. Tuesing, Democrat, received 1,009 votes. This race will be decided during the 2016 General Election, slated for Nov. 8.
Those running for Tucker County Assessor are James “Chris” Michael, Republican, and Greg Stevens, Democrat. Michael gathered 778 votes while Stevens gathered 1,087 votes. This is another race that will be decided during the general election in November.
In the Family Court Judge race, Tucker County voters cast 1,023 votes for incumbent Michele Good and 1,081 votes for Lori Haynes. The final result of this race will be determined after votes from Randolph County are totaled and added to those of Tucker County.
In the race for Circuit Court Judge, incumbent Lynn Nelson, from District 1, received 1,537 votes. For District 2, incumbent Jay Courrier received 831 votes in Tucker County and Jason Sites received 1,141 votes. The District 2 winner will be determined after totaling Tucker County votes with other counties.
Other totals for Tucker County include:
U.S. President – Democrat Hillary Clinton, 330; Democrat Roque Rocky De La Fuente, 8; Democrat Paul T. Farrell Jr., 93; Democrat Keith Judd, 44; Democrat Martin J. O’Malley, 21; Democrat Bernie Sanders, 770; Republican Jeb Bush, 19; Republican Ben Carson, 16; Republican Ted Cruz, 92; Republican Carly Fiorina, 3; Republican David E. Hall, 0; Republican Mike Huckabee, 8; Republican John R. Kasich, 56; Republican Rand Paul, 12; Republican Marco Rubio, 8; and Republican Donald J. Trump, 787.
Governor – Democrat Booth Goodwin, 349; Democrat Jim Justice, 732; Democrat Jeff Kessler, 315; and Republican Bill Cole, 807.
Secretary of State – Democrat Natalie Tennant, 920; Democrat Patsy Trecost, 461; Republican Barry Holstein, 131; and Republican Mac Warner, 682.
Attorney General – Democrat Doug Reynolds, 959; and Republican Patrick Morrisey, 772.
Auditor – Democrat Mary Ann Claytor, 265; Democrat Jason Pizatella, 419; Democrat Robin Righter, 387; and Republican John J.B. McCaskey, 705.
State Treasurer – Democrat John Perdue, 1,114; Republican Larry W. Faircloth, 438; and Republican Ann Urling, 319.
Commissioner of Agriculture – Democrat Walt Helmick, 1,169 and Republican Kent Leonhardt, 709.
State Senator District 14 – Democrat Bob Williams, 1,051 and Republican Randy E. Smith, 857.
House of Delegates District 47 – Democrat Ken Auvil, 352 and Republican Danny Wagner, 295.
House of Delegates District 53 – Democrat Al Tomson, 716; Republican D.R. Buck Jennings, 188; and Republican Tony J. Lewis, 311.
Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals – Brent Benjamin, 177; Wayne King, 87; Darrell V. McGraw Jr., 503; Beth Walker, 949; and William R. ‘Bill’ Wooton, 438.
All election results are unconfirmed pending the canvass of the elections. Confirmed results will be published in the Parsons Advocate as soon as they are made available.
