Three familiar faces will be returning to the Carter County Board of Education along with one newcomer following Thursday night’s election to fill four seats on the board.
Incumbents Rusty Barnett, Kelly Crain and Craig Davis retained their seats while Jerry Stout was elected as the new representative for the county’s 8th District.
In the county’s 1st District, Davis defeated challenger Noel Church to retain his seat. Davis garnered 358 votes to Church’s 275 — a margin of 56.38 percent to 43.31 percent.
Davis took a slight lead in the race when early voting totals were announced and maintained his lead throughout the night as the various precincts of the 1st District reported in. He lead in every precinct except for Hunter, where Church took 88 votes to Davis’ 83.
“I am thrilled to go back and I thank the people of the 1st District for all their support,” Davis said on Thursday night. “I do have an agenda and on the top of that agenda is a new school on Stoney Creek.”

In the county’s 6th District, Crain fended off challenges from two opponents — Steve Chambers and Jesse James. Crain captured 362 votes with James garnering 275 votes and Chambers taking in 119 votes. Once all the votes were tallied, Crain had received 47.88 percent of the total vote for the race.
“I am pleased,” Crain said. “I first off want to give my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all of the praise and glory.”
Crain thanked those who helped with his campaign and supported him.
“We have worked very hard,” he said. “Anytime you have a three-man race it’s difficult. I am very thankful to the people of the 6th District, we had a lot of support from the community.”
Crain said he wants to focus on making the system the best it can be for the children and building on the successes the school system has already achieved.
“I want to see the Carter County school system be the best school system in the state,” Crain said.
In the county’s 4th District, Rusty Barnett was unopposed in his bid to return to his seat on the board. Barnett currently serves as chairman of the Carter County Board of Education.
A new face will be joining the Board from the county’s 8th District when Stout takes his seat on Sept. 1. Stout’s background is in law enforcement and he previously served with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office as well as with other local agencies.
The current 8th District representative, Ronnie McAmis, decided not to seek re-election this term.