Two incumbents win, two lose in Tuesday voting

The results were mixed for incumbents in the Democratic Preferential Primary Election held Tuesday in Clay County.

Incumbents won two of the county-wide races and challengers captured two, while one other race featured two candidates seeking the office for the first time.

Gerald McClung of Rector defeated incumbent sheriff Ronnie Cole of Piggott in Tuesday balloting. McClung fared well in his hometown, posting a 480-104 total, to help him overtake Cole by a 2,121 to 1,784 margin in unofficial results. McClung also did well in Western District voting to help lead to the win. Cole did well in Piggott, winning those two precincts, 410-286, but it was not enough to overcome the challenger's margins in other areas.

Another challenger who emerged victorious was David Copelin of Piggott, who defeated incumbent district judge Rick Rodery of Piggott, 2,262 to 1,643. Copelin posted strong totals throughout the county to lead to the decisive win.

Incumbent county judge Gary Howell of Piggott had little trouble defeating challenger Rick Edington of Datto, 2,598 to 1,245. Howell posted strong totals throughout the county to provide his return for another term.

Incumbent circuit clerk Janet Luff Kilbreath of McDougal defeated challenger Beverly (Harris) Scott in a relatively-close race. Kilbreath posted strong totals in Rector and in the Western District to overcome Scott's good showing in Piggott. The incumbent won by a total margin of 2,087 to 1,756.

There was one race, for county clerk, in which neither candidate, Pat Poole of Piggott nor Tom Morris of Corning, was the incumbent. Poole easily captured the race, 2,628 to 1,208, winning in virtually every area of the county.

Incumbent Darrell Speer won the East Oak Bluff constable race, 207-73, over Marvin Midkiff.

There will be a runoff for the West Oak Bluff constable position between Cary Clayton and Richard Earls. Clayton won the balloting with 106 votes, but did not receive a majority. Earls was second with 64. Also receiving votes were Terry Robertson 58, Kelly Baker 50, Jason Cobb 32 and Allen Deringer 28.