John E. Howard wins run-off primary for District 3 county commission seat

JOHN E. HOWARD will be new commissioner

Wilkes County voters came out in surprising numbers for Tuesday's primary run off election and, in District 3, elected John E. Howard to the Board of Commissioners.

Howard defeated Danny Cosby in a close race, separated by only two votes in Rayle's District 3-B and by 16 in District 3-A. With absentee ballots, Howard out-polled Cosby by 191 to 163.

A strong 38.82 percent turnout in Rayle and a solid 15 percent turnout in District 3-A showed that District 3 voters took an active part in the selection of their county commissioner.

"I'm very pleased," Howard said, "I feel very fortunate, and I'd like to thank the Lord first and thank my family and friends for working so hard. It was a good clean race and I look forward to getting in the saddle and serving." The District 3 Commissioner's

race was the only contested local race, but overall turnout was good for a run off. Nearly 500 voters voted in Democrat races, but only about 110 Wilkes voters cast Republican ballots.

Wilkes County voting patterns reflected those statewide in the Republican run off for Agriculture Commissioner, voting heavily for Gary Black, but local Republicans supported the losing effort of Bill Stephens for Secretary of State against run off winner Karen Handel.

Wilkes Democrats reflected statewide numbers in the sound win by Lieutenant Governor candidate Jim Martin over Greg Hecht, but favored Secretary of State candidate Darryl Hicks slightly over winner Gail Buckner.

A total of 727 Wilkes County voters out of 5,827 cast their ballots in Tuesday's run off, a turnout of 12.48 percent.

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