Hammond, Coppinger, Bennett, Fleenor, Henry, Hurst, Turner, Mackey, Beck, Fairbanks, Boyd Take Election Wins

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Sheriff Jim Hammond, County Mayor Jim Coppinger and Register of Deeds Pam Hurst were among election victors on Tuesday.

J.B. Bennett won the Circuit Court judge, Division 1, race by a wide margin, and Pam NcNutt Fleenor built a sizable lead for Chancery Court judge, Part 1. Attorney Bennett replaces retiring Judge Jackie Bolton. Attorney Fleenor takes the place of retiring Chancellor Frank Brown.

County Commissioner Larry Henry won the race for Circuit Court clerk. He succeeds longtime Clerk Paula Thompson.

Pam Hurst finished far ahead of challenger Ryan Epperson for register of deeds.

County Mayor Coppinger defeated perennial candidate Basil Marceaux Sr.

Sabrena Turner won the hotly-contested GOP race in District 7. She will join what has been an all-male commission if she can beat her Democratic opponent, Ezra Maize. Ms. Turner, a realtor, had faced former School Board Chairman Phil Smartt as well as business and community leader Perry Perkins.

Former Commissioner Curtis Adams had a narrow early lead in District 8, then incumbent Tim Boyd gained the advantage as returns came in. East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert finished third.

Incumbents Warren Mackey in District 4 and Greg Beck in District 5 overcame election challenges. Among the Mackey opponents was Pam Ladd, who was formerly on the City Council.

Randy Fairbanks pulled an upset win over longtime Commissioner Fred Skillern in District 1. Commissioner Skillern, who had a long tenure on the school board as well as the commission, is the current chairman.

Incumbent Criminal Court Clerk Gwen Tidwell defeated Brian White in one of the few contested Democratic races. She will next face Rep. Vince Dean.

County Clerk Bill Knowles had 14,564 complimentary votes, and Trustee Bill Hullander had 14,145. County Mayor Coppinger had the most votes in the election despite having an opponent, receiving 15,003.

There are 219,708 eligible voters in Hamilton County.

Over 8,100 voted early.

Circuit Court Judge, Div. 1

J.B. Bennett 11,383

Catherine Cate White 4,735

Chancery Court Judge, Part 1

Pam McNutt Fleenor 11,297

Joe Manuel 4,438

County Commission District 1

Randy Fairbanks 1,249

Fred Skillern 1,198

County Commission District 4