Crow, Hardy win; Mangum-Gilbert and Moore-Sikes face runoff

Crow, from Jefferson, captured 56.09 percent of the vote in the race for BOC chairman to spoil Bicknell’s re-election bid, 5,792-4,535.

In District 1, Hix polled more than 70 percent of the vote to put down Guy Spicer, 1,754-743, and in District 2, the only question was whether Hardy, seeking his second term, would have to endure a runoff. But when all the votes were counted, Hardy, from Commerce, garnered 1,326 or 54.23 percent of the vote. Max Allen finished second with 577 and former commissioner Jody Thompson finished with 542.

As the election results trickled in for the long-anticipated race for sheriff, Mangum built an early lead, but Gilbert and Andy Garrison stayed neck-and-neck for the number two position. Mangum finished with 4,507 votes — 41.34 percent, with Gilbert getting 2,784 to Garrison’s 2,565 to secure a spot in the runoff.

The other four candidates were non-factors. Greg Vaughan polled 452 votes to 250 for Ronnie Norris, 219 for Randy Moore and 124 for Gerald Moon.

In the four-candidate race for probate judge, Moore led with 3,502 votes, but will meet Sikes, who garnered 3,110, in the runoff. Tracy Brooks finished third with 3,032 and Donna Geiger had 1,326.

Alexander rolled over Jeff Perry 8,000-3,006 in the race for State Court judge, taking 72.67 percent of the votes.

Incumbent coroner Keith Whitfield turned back challenger Jim Keinard, 7,805-2,285.

T-SPLOST Falls, Alcohol Passes

Jackson County voters rejected the regional transportation sales tax by almost a 3-1 margin, helping the Northeast Georgia district join eight of 11 other districts in rejecting the tax. The vote tally was 8,726 against and 3,002 for.

Voters also approved the Sunday sale in unincorporated Jackson County of alcohol by the drink and by the package, both by more than 56 percent of ballots cast.

Jackson County helped Frank Ginn turn back Barrow County commissioner Danny Yearwood, 3,401-1,726, in the 47th District race for the Georgia Senate. Ginn will face Democrat Tim Riley in November.

In the race for the 9th Congressional District seat, Doug Collins and Martha Zoller will meet Aug. 21 to determine who takes on Democrat Jody Cooley in November. Jackson gave Zoller 4,274 votes to 4,011 for Collins, with Roger Fitzpatrick polling 1,828.

For complete Jackson County results visit http://www.jacksonheraldtoday.com/archives/7369-Its-Mangum-vs.-Gilbert;-Bicknell-ousted;-T-SLOST-dies-at-ballot-box;-Moore-vs.-Sikes-for-Probate-Judge.html