Incumbents Picked In Commission Races, Hale in Sheriff's Race

Voters in the Oconee County Republican Primary on Tuesday selected three incumbents in Board of Commissioners races, a newcomer to the county in the Board of Education race, and a current Captain in the Sheriff’s Office to be the new Sheriff.

Voters in the nonpartisan election for Probate Court Judge chose Mike Hunsinger to succeed retiring Judge David Anglin.

Hunsinger and incumbent Board of Commissioners Chair John Daniell won majorities in their races against two other candidates, avoiding an August runoff.

Daniell received 68.2 percent of the vote against Caroll Bennett (10.3 percent) and Johnny Pritchett (21.5 percent)

Hunsinger got 58.1 percent of the vote to 16.0 for George Roberts and 25.9 for Jimmy Williams.

Post 4 Commissioner Mark Saxon handily defeated John Laster, and Post 5 Commissioner Mark Saxon easily won in his contest with Maria Caudill.

James Hale, who has served most of his career in the Oconee County’s Sheriff’s Office, received 75.0 percent of the vote in the race to replace retiring Sheriff Scott Berry. Jimmy Williamson received the remaining quarter of the vote.

Hale will have no opposition in November.

Michael Ransom, a forester who has lived in Oconee County for only three years, received 60.3 percent of the vote in a race for an open seat on the Board of Education. Adam Spence received 39.7 percent

Just more than 45 percent of Oconee County’s 30,457 registered voters cast a ballot in the June 9 elections.

For more on the elections, please go to Oconee County Observations.