TWO NEWCOMERS IN BOLLINGER COUNTY

Bollinger County voters returned only one incumbent to office in three races decided Tuesday.

Public Administrator Winford Brown was the only candidate re-elected by voters. Brown received 2,579 votes, while his Republican opponent, Larry Welker, received 2,234. With this win, Brown begins his 17th year in office.

Voters opted for new faces in the offices of sheriff and 2nd District county commissioner.

Bollinger County native Dennis Willis received 2,764 votes to upset Republican incumbent Sheriff Daniel Mesey. Mesey, who joined the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department in 1989, received 2,235. Mesey had held the office six years.

Republican newcomer Rodney Jetton won his first campaign for political office to become the 2nd District county commissioner. Jetton won 1,793 votes and beat incumbent Junior Cook, who received 1,199 votes. Cook had been in office for 10 years.

Willis and Jetton both said they were "tickled to death" by their wins. The wins followed hard campaigns, they said, but Bollinger County residents saw a need for change and came out to achieve it.

Representatives from the county clerk's office said voter turnout was fairly large, with 5,246 residents coming out to vote.