Carter County will be looking for a new county attorney as Keith Bowers defeated opponent Misty Buck in the race for General Sessions Court Judge.
Bowers captured 9,194 votes, or 74.5 percent, to Buck’s 25.24 percent with 3,114 votes.
“It’s going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to it,” Bowers said of his new job as General Sessions Court judge. He will replace longtime General Sessions Court Judge John Walton, who is retiring.
The position of judge is an important one, Bowers said, and not one he will take lightly. “I am excited about the challenge of the court and I will do the best I can in the position,” he said.
While knowledge of the law is the most important qualification for the job, Bowers said “being reasonable and even-tempered” are also essential to the job, as well as treating both sides of the case fairly and allowing them to have their say.
Bowers said he was very pleased with the overall voter turnout across the county – which was 49 percent of all the registered voters – and was also pleased with the percentage of votes he received.
In the May primary election Bowers defeated challenger Jason Holly in the primary election to become the Republican nominee for the general election. Bowers praised both Buck and Holly for the way the two ran their campaigns.
“It was another good clean race and I think people appreciate that,” he said, adding he was pleased that he and both of his opponents refrained from negative campaigning and focused more on the qualifications for the position.
Also elected to judicial posts in uncontested races were Thomas J. Seeley Jr. to Circuit Court Judge 1st District Part I; Jean A. Stanley to Circuit Court Judge 1st District Part II; John C. Rambo to Chancellor 1st District; Lisa Nidiffer Rice to Criminal Court Judge 1st District Part I; and Stacy L. Street to Criminal Court Judge 1st District Part II.