Tim Boyd, still celebrating his Tuesday election victory while under indictment for extortion, said Wednesday, "What I face legally will eventually go away and the truth of how this frivolous thing came to be will be exposed."
He won re-election to the County Commission's District 8 seat by almost 500 votes over East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert, whose charges had led to the indictment in the middle of the campaign.
Commissioner Boyd told other members of the commission, "I want you folks to know that I have slept well since April 10, but, man, I slept good last night.
"I could not have ever imagined I would be sitting here with the 10 of you having been elected to my third term while under indictment.
"One of you may know, but I have not ever heard of someone in my situation doing so.
"The past 22 days have really been a roller coaster of emotions - scared, jubilant, down, up, frustrated, angry, happy, thankful.
"I said last night this was one of the most satisfying moments of my life. I feel the same emotion at this very moment."
He added, "I know there are a lot of folks who have enjoyed what me, my family and campaign have been through, and that's OK. I am content and looking onward to the great things this commission will do going forward."
Commissioner Greg Beck, senior member of the commission who was defeated by 15 votes, gave an emotional statement in which he said he now will be headed toward retirement. He said he hopes his efforts for a new Howard stadium and for new schools in his district will be carried out.
County Mayor Jim Coppinger pledged that they will be. He called Commissioner Beck "a man of integrity who has left a large print on that seat. He has always been an honest man."