Sheriff’s race headed to a runoff; Pearson elected to office

On Tuesday, the Logan County primary election witnessed an incumbent elected to another four-year term and the other local race will need a runoff election in August.

Logan County Election Board Secretary Erin Dorio said the voter turnout was not extraordinary as voters made their way to the polls for sheriff, county commissioner, and State and U.S. legislatures.

Several registered Democratic voters were turned away at the polls after learning there were no Democratic candidates on the ballot. The Democratic Party and Libertarian Party have authorized Independent voters to vote in their primary and runoff elections in 2016 and 2017.

Overall, Dorio said the election went smooth at all 22 polling locations.

In total, 3,785 Republicans made their way to the poll, which represents 25. 5 percent of registered Republican voters in the county. The Libertarian Party is represented currently with 12 registered voters in Logan County.

In the sheriff’s race, seven candidates were seeking the top law enforcement spot in the county. Incumbent Sheriff Jim Bauman came away with the majority of the votes. However, he did not gather enough support and will now move on to a runoff (August 23) with former City of Guthrie Police Chief Damon Devereaux, who finished second in the polls.

Bauman, who won 16 precincts, collected 1,712 votes, or 45.23 percent, while Deveraux, who won five precincts, brought in 1,157 votes, or 30.57 percent. Each candidate tied for the most votes in one precinct.

Michael LaNoy finished third overall with 407 votes (10.75 percent) followed by Veronica Thomas (5.34 percent), Ben McHand (3.86 percent), Robert Hardee (2.56 percent) and John Marshall (1.69 percent).

The race for District 2 County Commissioner came down to a two-man race between incumbent Mike Pearson and Don Spencer.

Pearson, who won all six precincts, collected 874 votes, or 55.32 percent, while Spencer finished with 622 votes, or 39.37 percent of the vote. Salome Vaughn finished a distant third with 84 votes (5.32%).

“I wish to thank all of my supporters for all they did to get the word out. They understand how much I love this district and the challenges we face in the next four years. It is a testament that all six precincts voted to continue the course we are on,” Pearson said.

With no Democrat or Independent on the ballot, Pearson avoids a runoff and will be sworn back into office for another four-year term beginning in Jan.

Results are not official until certified by either by the State Election Board or the Logan County Election Board.

Other races

U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas had no trouble against his opponent, Desiree Brown, in Logan County as he collected 75 percent of the vote and easily won the state election by drawing in nearly 80 percent of the vote.

State Rep. Kevin Wallace, of District 32, doubled up the amount of votes of his competitor Steve Hadaway (55-27) in Logan County. Overall, Wallace collected 76.79 percent of the vote to win the primary.

In District 32, Connie Parker collected three additional votes (20-17) than Greg Babinec in county votes, but Babinec won the primary with an overall 54.74 percent of the vote.

In the lone Libertarian race in the county, Robert Murphy edged Dax Ewbank (52-35) in the county and state-wide with 58.89 percent of the vote.