Too close to call for 3rd commissioner seat
Jerry Crisp
Robbinsville – With just four votes separating them after Tuesday’s primary elections, Graham County Sheriff Jerry Crisp and former sheriff Russell Moody are headed to a runoff.
For Graham County commissioner, incumbent Commissioner Dale Wiggins came in fifth in a race where only the top three candidates proceed to the general election for three open seats on the board.
Incumbents Jacob Nelms and Lynn Cody and newcomer Natasha Williams were the top three finishers in that race, but provisional ballots may change that outcome.
Incumbent Chip Carringer dominated the Republican ballot for Graham County Board of Education with 1,254 votes, or 58.9 percent of total votes cast.
There were no contested local races in the Democrat primary, and all those candidates as well as independent candidates will move directly to the general election in November.
The runoff election will be Tuesday, July 26. In order to avoid a runoff, the leading candidate would have to receive a vote total of 30 percent plus one.
Provisional ballots have yet to be counted and the Graham County Board of Commissioners will also have to canvass the vote tally in order for the count to be finalized.
Provisional votes seldom play a significant role in local elections, but with razor-thin margins for Graham County commissioner, they could be a factor this time.
Three votes separate third-place finisher Williams (695 votes, or 16.72 percent) and fourth place finisher Andy Lynn (692 votes, or 16.65 percent). Provisional votes could even affect incumbent Cody’s second place finish with 709 votes (17.06 percent).
Nelms, who finished first, is probably safe from a runoff with 767 votes (18.46 percent).
Other candidates in the race for three commissioner seats were Wiggins in fifth place with 580 votes, or 13.96 percent; Logan Johnson in sixth place with 318 votes, or 7.65 percent; Cassie Phillips in seventh place with 291 votes, or 7 percent; and Van Adams in eighth place with 104 votes, or 2.5 percent.
In the Republican primary race for sheriff, Jerry Crisp received 414 votes (26.05 percent) and Moody received 410 votes (25.8 percent).
Sheriff candidate Dennis Crisp, who came in third with 290 votes, or 18.25 percent, is likely too far behind for provisional votes to swing the vote in his favor.
Other candidates for sheriff were Louanne McMahan, fourth with 197 votes (12.4 percent); Leon Allen Jr., fifth with 170 votes (10.7 percent); Kevin Guffey, sixth with 72 votes (4.53 percent); and Chase Lancaster, seventh with 36 votes (2.27 percent).