Lawrence County voters cast their ballots in several contested races and tax proposals as unofficial results were released Tuesday night, according to Lawrence County Clerk Brandi Parker.
In the race for Lawrence County Sheriff, Cody Turner (Independent) received 817 votes but was defeated by Republican challenger Tony Waldrupe, who garnered 3,030 votes.
Several municipal positions were also on the ballot. In Black Rock, the City Council Ward 2, Position 2 seat went to Kathy Robinson with 90 votes over Jennifer Archer's 63 votes.
Hoxie saw multiple contested races. In the mayoral election, Steve Ditto defeated incumbent Tim Taylor, 279 votes to 157. Geneva Waldrupe prevailed in the contest for City Council Ward 2, Position 1, with 266 votes against Bobby Hatfield's 163 votes. For City Council Ward 2, Position 2, Nathan Lee Romine received 274 votes, defeating Jacob Speirs, who had 156 votes. For City Clerk/Treasurer, Verna Coats narrowly won with 220 votes to Sara Grimes’ 198 votes.
In Portia, the Recorder/Treasurer race saw Jaden McFall edge out Tasha Robins, 59 votes to 48. In Ravenden, David Lawrence won the City Council Position 4 seat with 64 votes over John "Greg" Starnes, who received 42.
In Strawberry, the mayoral race was decided by 11 votes, with Stanley Mayland defeating Josh Walker, 44 to 33.
Voters also weighed in on two tax proposals. A proposal to increase the Lawrence County Road Millage Rate by one mill, bringing the total millage on real and personal property to three mills for road maintenance, was rejected with 2,607 votes against and 1,217 in favor. Similarly, a proposed 0.5% sales and use tax in Black Rock was voted down, with 95 votes against and 59 in favor.
The Lawrence County Election Commission has reported these results as unofficial. Final certification will involve verifying and canvassing ballots.
Election officials expressed gratitude to the many poll workers and volunteers who helped conduct the election process across the county.