In the closest race of election night challenger Dexter Lunceford defeated incumbent Chris Mathes by less than 70 votes to earn the Republican nomination for Carter County Sheriff.
When the totals for early and absentee voting were released, Mathes led with 52 percent to 47 percent.
As the precinct tallies came in during election night, it was apparent the race for the nomination for Sheriff would be close. While Lunceford won the majority of precincts – taking 15 to Mathes’ seven – in the areas where Mathes won the precinct, he won by a large margin, making up the difference.
At the end of the night when all the votes were totaled Lunceford received 4,767 votes and Mathes received 4,699, making the margin of victory a mere 68 votes.
Lunceford celebrated his victory with a small gathering at his home. He stated that he is pleased with the victory but that he feels “a little apprehensive” about the General Election in August when he will go up against James Parrish who is running as an independent candidate.
“The Sheriff (Mathes) did call to congratulate me and he was very gracious,” Lunceford said, who also discussed the number of voters in this election. “I was a little disappointed in the turnout, but I am not complaining,” he said. “We had about 4,000 less turn out than last time.
Current Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes stated that he wishes Lunceford well in the General Election and he was also quick to quell any rumors about a potential write-in campaign.
“There will not be a write-in campaign,” he said. “I am a man of my word and I will support the Republican nominee. The people have spoken and I accept that. I am proud of the last eight years and the men and women of the department.”
Mathes said he is not sure yet what lies ahead of him once his term ends in September but that he is ready for whatever comes his way.
“They say when God closes a door he opens others,” he said. “I will follow the Lord and where he leads me.”