Election 2006 provides pundits with plenty of surprises

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006, 11 p.m. -- As this is written, Election 2006 isn't quite done nationally, but there's no denying it's been a night of electoral upsets in political races on local, state and national levels.

Your editor spent Election Night at the WBRT studio with "Brooks & Ken Show" co-host Kenny Fogle, providing the tallys as reported by Tom Redmon, WBRT news director, who was assisted by Bonnie Drake, Matthew Fogle and others.

Election returns were slowed somewhat by the differing reports coming from the two types of machines used in all precincts, and the flow of information seemed to flow at a trickle until well past 7 p.m.

Here's how the candidates in competitive races faired.

BARDSTOWN MAYOR. In the early returns, councilman Dick Heaton moved out to a small early lead over incumbent Mayor Dixie Hibbs. Hibbs won a few precincts, but Heaton posted wins in most of them, building his early lead as each precinct was reported.

Hibbs started campaigning hard early, touting her accomplishments in office and the fact that she has served as the city's only full-time mayor. Heaton countered by citing his own record of success in business, and his long history of work with civic organizations. With all but a couple precincts reported, Heaton was leading Hibbs 1,272 to 946. Challenger Steven Wimsatt was a distant third with 125 votes.

BARDSTOWN COUNCIL. Dick Heaton's decision to leave the Bardstown City Council and pursue the mayor's office created an opening on the council, and former councilman Tommy Reed will join the five incumbents who were all reelected.

During the night, Reed was one of the top vote-getters among council candidates. With nearly all precincts reporting, 1,552 votes were cast for Reed, followed by Bobby Simpson (1,531), Francis Lydian (1,484), Bill Sheckles (1,380), Fred Hagan (1,330) and John Royalty (1,092).

Council candidates Mark Hicks and Rick Molyneaux trailed with 862 votes and 845 votes respectively.

MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 3. Incumbent Democrat Bernard Ice, a 20-year veteran of Nelson Fiscal Court, defeated both of his challengers. Ice beat Republican challenger Jim Beery, 1,103 votes to 571. Independent candidate David McMichael received 245 votes.

NELSON COUNTY CORONER. The race most political junkies would vote "Least Interesting" would probably be that of county coroner -- but that was certainly not the case this election cycle in Nelson County.

Republican Danielle Chladek of Cox's Creek squared off with funeral home owner Rayfield Houghlin of Bloomfield. Houghlin, who had served for years as a deputy coroner during the years his business partner was coroner, initially campaigned on a platform of "its been this way for years, why change.

Chladek challenged Houghlin to discuss issues related to the office, including what the coroner does, how the office works with law enforcement, possible conflicts of interest and other aspects of the job. Chladek cited her training in forensics and law enforcement as proof of her qualifications to hold the job.

With nearly all precincts reporting, Houghlin won with 4,068 to 3,109 votes.

NEW HAVEN MAYOR, COMMISSION. Incumbent Tessie Cecil handily defeated two challengers for the office of mayor, 165 votes to the 78 cast for John Ray Ball and 31 cast for Charles Lemmons.

Of the six candidates for the four commission seats in New Haven, the winners were Bobby Johnson, Ruth Wimsett Faulkner, Freddy Dewitt and Michael Wolf.

CONSTABLE. Presumably write-in candidate Kevin Brumley received enough write-in votes to be elected as constable in the 3rd Magisterial District. Brumley has won election in the past as a write-in candidate but has been unable to meet the bond requirement set by Nelson Fiscal Court. After Brumley filed legal action, fiscal court set the bond at $1 million, which has prevented constables managing to be elected from actually serving as a peace officer.

Races without opposition

The following candidates for local office were on the ballot without competition:

BARDSTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION. Jennifer Shrewsbury, Margie T. Bradford, Kathy Reed and H. Michael Sloane.

BLOOMFIELD. Mayor Ronnie Bobblett and city council members Walter Pozgay, Liz Gillis, Mark Mays, Richard Gillman Sweazy and Tina Long.

FAIRFIELD. Commissioners Katherine Simpson, Donald Harbin, Faye Chesser and Angela Ford Hamilton.

COURT OF APPEALS, 3RD APPELLATE DISTRICT, 1ST DIVISION. R.W. Dyche III.

10TH DISTRICT CIRCUIT JUDGE, 1ST DIVISION. Charles Simms

10TH DISTRICT CIRCUIT JUDGE, 2ND DIVISION. Jack Seay

67th DISTRICT JUDGE. Bob Heaton

14TH DISTRICT STATE SENATE. Dan Kelly

50TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE. David Floyd.

10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY. Terry Geoghegan

CIRCUIT CLARK. Diane Thompson.

PVA. Barbara Tichenor.

COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE. Dean Watts.

COUNTY ATTORNEY. John Kelley Jr.

COUNTY CLARK. Phyllis Mattingly.

SHERIFF. Mike Newton.

JAILER. Dorcas Figg.

SURVEYOR. Stephen Hibbs.

DISTRICT 1 MAGISTRATE. Maynard Wimsett

DISTRICT 2 MAGISTRATE. Sam Hutchins.

DISTRICT 4 MAGISTRATE. Tim Hutchins.

DISTRICT 5 MAGISTRATE. Jerry L. Hahn.

NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, FIRST DISTRICT. Frank Hall.

NELSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, FOURTH DISTRICT. Nicky Rapier.