Yesterday’s primary election included many results, including the results of the Democratic primary for the Tucker County Commission as possibly one of the closest elections in county history. Incumbent Diane Hinkle totaled 474 votes, and challenger Freddie Davis totaled 472.
As the crowd in the Courthouse in Parsons watched the totals slowly trickle in on the live stream, it was clear that this would be a tight race. Davis was ahead for much of the night as the precincts from around the county came in, but by no more than five percent.
Hinkle’s numbers rose as the final precincts, including Davis and Canaan Valley, came in. Alan Kidwell fell behind in the running with 25.51 percent.
As the final precinct was totaled, celebration was absent from the courtroom. “I’m hopeful, but I’m respectful that this could go another way,” Commissioner Hinkle said.
On Monday, canvassing will take place to check for provisional ballots. The County Clerk’s Office is still waiting on absentee ballots, which are estimated to be six to eight votes.
These votes will likely decide the next commissioner. All of the Tucker County Commission candidates were registered as Democrats, so whoever wins will run unopposed in the general election unless an official write in shows promise.
There are 5,598 registered voters in Tucker County. Of those, 1,974 voted, equaling 35.26 percent voter turnout. There was a polling place for each of the 11 precincts throughout the county yesterday.
“I’ve had reports that we have a high voter turnout on our mountain precincts,” Simmons said. Poll workers at Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall reported a consistent stream of voters.
The results for the federal contests were totaled as well. For United States Senator, Republican Patrick Morrisey and Incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin carried Tucker County as well as the state.
Republican David McKinley ran unopposed for the United States House of Representatives seat. Democrat Tom Payne carried Tucker County, but lost to Kendra Fershee in throughout the state as McKinley’s challenger.
For the state positions, Incumbent Republican Dave Sypolt and challenging Democrat Stephanie Zucker both ran unopposed for State Senator of the 14th District.
Democrat Ed Larry and Republican Chris Phillips took Tucker County for The House of Delegates 47th District.
Caleb Stutler challenged incumbent D.R. “Buck” Jennings as the Republican nominee for the 53rd District of the House of Delegates. Stutler carried Tucker County by an overwhelming margin of 74 percent.
Democrat Cory Chase ran unopposed as the nominee for the 53rd District of the House of Delegates.
Board of Education nominees Cathy Hebb and Chris Gross were elected.
The County Clerk’s Office began preparing for the primary election right after the road bond election. “We hit the ground running on December 1,” County Clerk Sherry Simmons said. Simmons said the Clerk’s Office will now begin preparing for the general election in November.