August 5, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
Historic!
For the first time in DeKalb County history Republicans will hold all elected county-wide offices beginning in September.
In the General Election Thursday Republicans swept all county wide races and won a majority of the seats on the county commission and school board.
Matt Adcock, who currently serves as a Republican County Commissioner in the 6th district, was elected DeKalb County Mayor defeating Democrat Mike Foster, a former three term County Mayor who served from 2002 to 2014 before being defeated by Tim Stribling in the Democratic Primary that year and again four years later in a primary rematch. Adcock won with 2,597 votes compared to 1,952 for Foster, who had unseated Stribling in another primary battle between the two in May.
Adcock carried all precincts except Snow Hill where he lost 63 to 61 and he had a majority of the early votes and absentees. The County Mayor’s Office hasn’t been held by a Republican in 40 years since Billy J. Lafever left office. Lafever served as County Mayor (known as County Judge at that time) from 1966-1982 in what were 8-year terms back then.
Republican Daniel Seber will become the next Register of Deeds succeeding 36-year veteran Jeff McMillen, who chose not to seek a 10th term. Seber defeated Democrat Shelby Reeder 2,424 to 2,049.
Seber carried every precinct except the Smithville Church of God where he only lost by one vote 114 to 113. He also had a majority of the early votes and absentees.
Brandon Cox, a Republican, was elected General Sessions Court Judge, defeating Democrat Tecia Puckett Pryor 3,103 to 1,425. Cox will take over from 24-year three term Judge Bratten Cook, II who elected not to run again this year.
Cox carried all precincts and had a majority of the early votes and absentees.
Republican Incumbent Road Supervisor Danny Hale won re-election beating Democrat Wayne Shehane 2,589 to 1,917.
Hale won every precinct except Blue Springs and Snow Hill where he lost 84 to 80 and 67 to 59 respectively. Hale also had a majority of the early votes and absentees.
Other GOP incumbents winning unopposed were Sheriff Patrick Ray, who led the ticket with 3,844 votes; County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss with 3,826; Trustee Sean Driver 3,800; and Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin 3,601 votes.
The other Republican County Office holder is Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, who is not up for re-election until 2024.
A total of 4,794 people voted in the election including 2,214 on election day and 2,357 during early voting. There were 223 absentee voters. The turnout represented 37.14% of the total number of registered voters at 12,909.
Meanwhile, 13-year veteran Circuit Court Judge Amy Hollars of Livingston lost her bid for re-election Thursday to Republican William T. “Will” Ridley of Crossville in the General Election.
In the seven counties combined that make up the 13th Judicial District including DeKalb Judge Hollars, as Circuit Court Judge in Part 1 of the district lost to Ridley 20,475 to 12,480. Ridley defeated her in DeKalb County 2,344 to 1,343. Ridley carried every local precinct and won a majority of the early votes and absentees. Hollars won only her home county of Overton 2,446 to 1,792.
The six other judicial candidates in the 13th district, all Republicans, won their elections unopposed on Thursday.
Here are the results for them:
Circuit Court Judge Part II- 13th Judicial District
Caroline Knight – 25,339 (district-wide) including 2,838 in DeKalb County
Chancellor- 13th Judicial District
Ronald Thurman (Incumbent) – 25,287 (district-wide) including 2,871 in DeKalb County
Criminal Court Judge Part I 13th Judicial District:
Gary S. McKenzie (Incumbent)-24,850 (district-wide) including 2,753 in DeKalb County
Criminal Court Judge Part II 13th Judicial District:
Wesley Bray (Incumbent)-24,591 (district-wide) including 2,699 in DeKalb County
Public Defender 13th Judicial District:
Craig P. Fickling, Jr. (Incumbent)-23,367 (district-wide) including 2,578 in DeKalb County
District Attorney General 13th Judicial District:
Bryant C. Dunaway (Incumbent)-25,319 (district-wide) including 2,776 in DeKalb County.