Nearly 28 percent of Caldwell County voters headed to the polls for the primary election, as residents decided several key leadership roles across the county.
According to the Secretary of State Primary Election unofficial results, out of the 9,417 registered voters in Caldwell County, a total of 2,634 ballots were cast, a 27.97 percent voter turnout.
County Clerk Jennifer Hale said the primary election went smoothly and there were no problems with the voting equipment.
In the local Republican primary races, unofficial results show that current District 4 Magistrate Jeff Simms won the judge-executive race with 57 percent (1,037) of the votes, while Chris Noel received 43 percent (767).
In a written statement to WPKY’s News Edge, Simms thanked Chris Noel for a fair race and said he’s grateful to the people of Caldwell County for their support. Simms added that there’s still important work to do in the 4th District and many big projects to finish before the end of the year.
He congratulated all the winners and said he looks forward to working with all the new county officials this term and, hopefully, in the future. Simms said he is excited and optimistic about what’s ahead for Caldwell County.
Simms will face Democrat James Trent Fox in the general election this November.
In the Republican primary for County Clerk, Jennifer Hale garnered 68 percent (1,225) of the votes, while David Zachary Granstaff received 32 percent (581).
Hale will face Democrat Jennifer French in the fall and says she feels great about winning the Republican primary.
Hale also said she appreciates all the support she’s gotten during the primary, her four years as county clerk, and from her previous time working in the county clerk’s office.
In the Republican primary for jailer, current Jail Administrator Angela Cotton received 53 percent (938) of the votes, while William “Billy” Baker received 47 percent (834).
This was the first time Cotton ran for a county office.
Cotton also shared with WPKY’s News Edge that Judge-Executive Kota Young has named her interim jailer to finish the late Willie Harper’s term.
After Elbert Bennett announced he wouldn’t run for a sixth term, two new candidates appeared on the Republican primary ballot for District 1 magistrate. Bobby Joe Harper won with 75 percent (345) of the votes, while Casey Baker received 25 percent (113).
In the District 2 Republican race for magistrate, Clint Joiner defeated current magistrate Jeff Boone, who was seeking a third term. Joiner received 58 percent (220) of the votes, while Boone got 42 percent (162).
Three challengers competed for the District 4 magistrate seat currently held by Simms. Randy Jordan won with 55 percent (337) of the votes, while George Kilgore received 23 percent (141) and Matt Lane got 22 percent (135).
This was Jordan’s first run for magistrate, and he’s happy with the result.
Jordan says he wants to focus on improving the City County Park, fixing roads, and working together with the other magistrates.
In other races, Andy Barr won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Caldwell County with 68 percent of the votes, while Democrat Amy McGrath got 40 percent. For U.S. Representative in the 1st Congressional District, James Comer received 86 percent of the county’s votes.
