Heiskell Wins Nailbiter Over Shaw For Walker County Commissioner; D.A. Franklin Wins By 44 Votes

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Despite trailing much of the night, Walker County sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell eaked out a victory over Dr. Paul Shaw on Tuesday night.

The retired LaFayette physician was neck-and-neck with the veteran Walker County officeholder throughout the evening. Dr. Shaw was 12 votes ahead with 81 percent of the returns in. But Ms. Heiskell was up by 128 votes with all but one precinct complete.

The final tally showed Ms. Heiskell 5,326 and Dr. Shaw 5,115.

Doug Woodruff was in a dead heat with District Attorney Herbert "Buzz" Franklin in the Lookout Mountain Judicial District. Attorney Woodruff won in Walker County and Catoosa County, while Franklin did well in the smaller counties of Dade and Chattooga. 

It appeared with only one Chattooga precinct still left, it was:

Franklin 10,973

Woodruff 10,929  

Walker - Woodruff 5,180 Franklin 4,836

Catoosa - Woodruff 4,519 Franklin 3,616 

Chattooga (all but 1 precinct) - Woodruff 218 Franklin 373

Dade  - Woodruff 1,012 Franklin 2,148

Franklin won the race by 44 votes.

Incumbent Sheriff Steve Wilson won handily in the Republican primary.

Probate Judge Christy Anderson defeated John Carpenter and Doug Grammer, and Court Clerk Carter Brown won over Kellie Maples.

Tax Commissioner Carolyn Walker defeated Keith Fults and Surveyor Charles Wardlaw won over Randy Compton.

Longtime Coroner Dewayne Wilson held off Don Richie.

Magistrate Shelia Thompson defeated Bruce Coker and Michael Yates.

Karen Stoker won over Dennis Willerson for a school board seat. 

Click here for election results.

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