Incumbent Sheriff Steve Gladney has emerged the victor in a tight race between him and former deputy John Rice in the Oktibbeha County sheriff’s race.
After the last affidavit ballot was counted in Oktibbeha Circuit Clerk’s Office Wednesday, Gladney led with 2,720 votes (50.35 percent) to Rice’s 2,498 (46.24 percent) in the Democratic primary. A third Democrat, Brandon Gann, earned 184 votes (3.41 percent).
Since no Republican is running in the race, Gladney will remain sheriff.
Gladney, first elected in 2011, is seeking his third term.
“I knew it would be close. Maybe not this close, but close,” Gladney told The Dispatch Tuesday night. “John grew up in Starkville, he knows a lot of people, so it was bound to be a tight race.”
After learning the final count Wednesday, Gladney said he’s glad the election is over with, because it’s stressful to go through.
“I’m grateful to the voters and citizens of Oktibbeha County,” he said. “It’s a humbling experience to go through this … I’m just grateful that they have the confidence in me to re-elect me for the third time.”
Rice said, win or lose, he is proud of his showing.
Rice congratulated Gladney on his victory.
“I wish him the best as he continues to serve as our sheriff,” he said. “I ask everyone to get behind him and support the department for the benefit of all the citizens of Oktibbeha County. I also want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, support and encouragement. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement throughout this campaign. I could not have done this without everyone’s support.”
In contested supervisors’ races, Democratic incumbents Orlando Trainer, of District 2, and Joe Williams, of District 5, cruised to primary victories.
Trainer bested T. Orlando Sherman by a 660-353 margin, earning re-election. Williams dispatched his challenger, former county road department director Victor Collins, by a 840-467 tally and will face Republican Jared Pruitt in the November general election.
Former supervisor Daniel Jackson earned a spot in the District 4 general election, defeating Leonard “Knot Knot” Thompson 790-421 in the Democratic primary. He will face a rematch with Republican incumbent Bricklee Miller in November, who unseated Jackson in 2015.
In the Republican primary for District 3 supervisor, Dennis Daniels defeated Rudy Johnson 360-196. Daniels will face Democratic incumbent Marvell Howard in November.
Incumbent justice court judges Tony Boykin and Larnzy Carpenter easily won re-election in their Democratic primary races.
Boykin beat challenger Brian Michael Lindner by a 1,251-484 margin in District 1. Carpenter defeated Kennedy Neal 1,595-657 in District 2. Neither victor will face a Republican opponent in November.
Statewide races
In the Republican primary for governor Tate Reeves carried Oktibbeha County with 45.2 percent, compared to Bill Waller Jr.’s 41.62 percent and Robert Foster’s 12.95. Jim Hood easily carried Oktibbeha in the Democratic side with 68.54 percent among a field of eight contenders.
Delbert Hosemann won 90.51 percent of the vote to carry the county in the Republican lieutenant governor primary,
Dispatch reporter Victoria Cheyne contributed to this report.
Other Republicans to carry the county included Michael Watson in the secretary of state’s race, Lynn Fitch in the attorney general’s race, David McRae for state treasurer and Trey Bowman for Northern District transportation commissioner.
On the Democratic side, Johnny Dupree carried the county for secretary of state.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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