McDowell ballots all Democrat

By CHARLES OWENS

WELCH — The Democrats are expected to rule Tuesday in McDowell County.

There are no Republican candidates competing in Tuesday’s primary contest, according to County Clerk Don Hicks. However, several Democrats are competing against Democrats for their party’s nomination. Without Republican opposition, the winners in Tuesday’s primary will most likely be unopposed during the general election in November.

“Whenever you have just Democrats running with no Republican opposition, normally in the primary that is pretty much it,” Hicks said. “Unless there is a write-in candidate.”

Hicks said a large voter turnout is expected Tuesday in McDowell County.

“I think it is going to be a real good turnout,” Hicks said. “So far we’ve had more early voters than we’ve had since we started (early voting). Right now we are at about 301 or 307.”

A single seat will be determined Tuesday on the Count Commission. Incumbent Carl Urps is being challenged by A. Ray Bailey. Both candidates are Democrats.

In the race for sheriff, incumbent Sheriff Danny Mitchell is being challenged by Bary Hale and S.P. “Pat” McKinney. All three men are Democrats.

In the 23rd District House of Delegates contest, incumbent Delegate Clif Moore, D-McDowell, is being challenged by former Delegate Emily Yeager. Both candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination. With no Republican candidate announced for the 23rd District, the winner of Tuesday’s contest is likely to be the only candidate on the November ballot.

In the 6th Senatorial District contest, incumbent Sen. John Pat Fanning, D-McDowell, is being challenged by Charles E. Sammons of Wayne County for the Democratic nomination. There is no Republican challenger in the 6th Senatorial District race.

In the race for magistrate, the candidates include incumbents Pete Beavers, Steve Cox, and Martin West and candidate Richard VanDyke. All four candidates are Democrats.

In the race for prosecuting attorney, incumbent Sid Bell is being challenged by former Circuit Court Judge Kendrick King.

Two candidates are vying for two seats on the non-partisan Board of Education contest. The candidates are incumbents Mike Calloway and Georgia West.

In the circuit court judge contest, incumbent Circuit Court Judge Rudolph J. Murensky II is running unopposed in the second division. Incumbent Circuit Court Judge Booker T. Stephens is being challenged by Ted A. White in the first division. All three candidates are Democrats.

In the surveyor contest, Vester Jones is running unopposed.

In the race for assessor, incumbent Assessor Dennis Altizer also is running unopposed.

Two candidates, Carl Mullins and Christopher Richardson, are vying for the conservation district supervisor seat.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

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