Frank Reynolds Elected Cherokee County Sheriff

CANTON, GA -- The buzz surrounding the May 24 primary election reached its peak Tuesday evening as Cherokee County citizens gathered in front of their screens and around restaurant tables to view the results as they poured in.

And those results show Frank Reynolds will become the county's next sheriff, according to unofficial numbers provided by the Cherokee County Elections and Voter Registration Office.

Reynolds won the race with 69 percent, or 15,144 votes. He's followed by challengers David Waters at 15 percent or 3,341 votes; Chip McCarthy at 10 percent or 2,178 votes; and Jeff Donley at 6 percent or 1,287 votes.

"I'm very honored and humbled," Reynolds said Tuesday evening by phone. "It's been a team effort."

Reynolds also said the vision he laid out over the course of the campaign and his desire to continue the quality law enforcement policing in Cherokee County resonated with voters.

He also commended the three fellow challengers who also sought the office of sheriff.

"They ran great campaigns," he added. "They should be commended for their years of law enforcement service whether...here in Cherokee County or somewhere else. They should be commended for their hard work and their desire to make Cherokee County better."

Reynolds also said he would be open to meeting and brainstorming with his challengers to come up with ways to make the community an even better place to live.

One multi-candidate race -- County Commission District 3 -- won't be so lucky in avoiding a runoff. Candidate Jack Staver is leading the race with 30 percent or 1,348 votes. Bob Kovacs follows extremely close behind with 29 percent or 1,333 votes; Benny Carter at 23 percent or 1,057 votes; and Presley White at 17 percent or 790 votes.

Jim Hubbard's bid to regain his old seat on the Cherokee County Commission does not appear to be successful, as Ray Gunnin has held on to the District 2 seat.

Gunnin is leading the race with 56 percent or 3,068 votes compared to Hubbard's 44 percent or 2,431 votes.

The race to serve as Cherokee County's next school board chair appears to be a clear victory for incumbent Kyla Cromer.

Cromer has defeated challenger Susie Tlacil with 73 percent to 14,453 votes. Tlacil received 27 percent, or 5,442 votes.

Cherokee County voters in Senate District 21, which also includes portions of Alpharetta and Milton, also appear to be supporting incumbent Brandon Beach over challenger Aaron Barlow.

Beach is currently polling at 57 percent, or 7,544 votes compared to Barlow's 43 percent or 5,580 votes.

Incumbent Scot Turner also appears to be heading back to the State House, as he has defeated candidate Kevin Moore. Turner received 66 percent or 3,505 votes compared to Moore's 34 percent or 1,768 votes.

Incumbents in the tax commissioner, clerk of courts, state court judge and superior court judge races have also defeated their respective challengers in Tuesday's primary.

Tax Commissioner Sonya Little fought off challenger Burt Fronebarger with 77 percent or 16,281 votes to Fronebarger's 23 percent or 4,923 votes.

"Congratulations to Sonya Little," Fronebarger wrote on his Facebook page. "The people has spoken I respect their decision (sic). I'm sure Mrs. Little will continue to serve you well. A very big thank you to my family, friends, and supporters."

Clerk of Courts Patty Baker also defeated challenger Derek Poarch with 79 percent or 16,313 votes to 21 percent or 4,307 votes.

Challenger Bart Glasgow lost his bid to oust Michelle Homier from the Cherokee County State Court bench. Homier is leading the race with 55 percent, or 12,087 votes to Glasgow's 45 percent, or 9,702 votes.

"(I'm) overwhelmed by support (sic)," Homier said on her Facebook page. "Thanks to Cherokee County for re-electing me. To Mr. Glasgow and his family, I wish you well in the future."

Glasgow said that while the results were not what he hoped for, he was proud of his volunteers and friends who supported him throughout the race.

"We came closer to unseating an incumbent than any other race where an incumbent was challenged," he wrote on Facebook. "I thank each and everyone one of you who knocked doors with us, went to community events with us, helped with signs, helped fund our campaign and who gave us encouragement all along the way. God bless each of you."

Last, but certainly not least is the Cherokee County Superior Court Judge race.

Incumbent David Cannon Jr. has defeated challenger Channing Ruskell by a considerable margin, 70 percent or 15,388 votes, to Ruskell's 30 percent or 6,559 votes.

Return to Patch for updates.

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