This election cycle, voters in Winston County were determined to do one thing – make history. And history they did as the general election capped off a rollercoaster of an election season in Winston County.
With the retirement of several elected officials, a primary that got pretty heated, a run off that came down to the wire, and political rallies galore it’s only fitting that Winston County accomplishes its goal.
In the unofficial results, history was made Tuesday night, as Louisville Alderwoman Gwenita Mays becomes the second African-American woman to be elected to a high position and as
Mays defeated former Circuit Clerk Glenda Johnson 3,613 votes to 2,698 votes. There were 15 write-ins, one overvote and 161 undervotes.
An overvote is when a person shades in two circles whether as a mistake or because they liked both candidates. An overvote can also be used to “throw away” a vote because it won’t count. An undervote is when a person doesn’t vote in a race. A person may vote in the Sheriff’s race, but not in the Circuit’s race. In essence, it’s their way of saying they either don’t want or believe in either candidate.
Mays joins Natasha Walker who was elected as the newest Tax Assessor during the primaries.
Not to be outdone, Perkins takes the reins as the newly elected Winston County Sheriff in a landslide victory succeeding Jason Pugh.
Perkins defeated Drake Kemp and former sheriff Randy Thomas for the win. Thomas came close to Perkins, but with Perkins winning 4,848 votes to Thomas’s 1,109 there was no way to make up the gap. Kemp finished with 401 votes. There were 25 write-ins, seven overvotes, and 93 undervotes.
Larry Massey will succeed Scott Gregory as the new Winston County Coroner. Massey defeated Ryan Parks in another landslide victory with 5,172 votes to Parks 1,179. There were 10 write ins, two overvotes and 120 undervotes.
In the District 2 Election Commissioner’s race, Byron Foster becomes the first man to become an election commissioner in Winston County. Foster defeated Lesa Hughes Carter, 972 votes to 373 votes. There were seven write-ins, no overvotes and 103 undervotes.
In the school board race, Mike Dowd will join the Louisville Municipal School Board as he defeated Danyell Jackson Logan 718 to 222. There were five write-ins, one overvote and 98 undervotes.
Also, Mattie Cooper, District 4 Election Commissioner ran unopposed and will retain her seat for another term.
Statewide, Brandon Presley flipped Winston County blue as he narrowly edged out Tate Reeves. Presley finished with 3,215 votes to Reeves 3,130. Gwendolyn Gray of Sturgis received 81 votes. There were 10 write ins, seven overvotes and 40 undervotes.
In all other statewide races, the republicans swept the Winston County races.
In the State House of Representatives race, Carl Mickens will serve another term for District 42. Mickens defeated Shantell Stevens by garnering 88 percent of the vote. Stevens was able to garner 12 percent of the vote.
In Winston County, Mickens received 2,716 votes to Stevens 528. There were 28 write ins, one overvote and 307 undervotes.
In the District 45 race, Keith Jackson will serve another term. Jackson garnered 55 percent of the vote to Michael Cassidy’s 38 percent. In Winston County, Cassidy defeated Jackson, 353 to 212. Trent Rickles received 47 votes. There were three write ins, no overvotes, and five undervotes.
