29 May 2024

The (Slightly Delayed) Newton Co Primary Results Analysis Write-up -- Down Goes Ellis; Marcello Wins Third Term

 Howdy, Pals!

Hope it's all lovely out there. 

So Tuesday last we had ourselves a primary election here in the home county & it was very interesting and by & large things went well. 

Let's start w/ the big one (at least for me): 

GOP Primary for the 5th District of the Newton Co Board of Commissioners 

Line of the night: 

"LeAnne beat Keith like he stole something!" 

Lol. 

But, true. 

The final count was an absolute beatdown. A 72% to 28% trouncing of the poorly regarded former Commission Chair. 

As one person asked on social media - "who put Keith up to this when he should have known he had NO chance of winning?" 

Well...the usual suspects, and we'll just leave it at that (IYKYK). 

Glad to have supported & publicly endorsed the presumptive new Commissioner of BOC 5 - Mrs. LeAnne Long (but remember - she still has a challenger in the general). 

On the Dem Side 

Marcello Banes, for the win. 

Come January he will embark on his third term as the Chair of the County Commission. Congrats to him. 

And that means that Tommy Craig disciple Marcus Jordan will soon no longer hold elected office in the home county. 

Tax Commish 

The only Democrat I endorsed in this cycle - Brent Bennett - was the top vote-getter & is in the runoff facing Avis Williams. 

BOC 3 

This one also heading to a runoff between Stephanie Lindsey & incumbent Alana Sanders. 

Sanders has allegedly cultivated a reputation for being "aloof", ill-informed & mean,  which, obviously if true, is NOT a good combination. Many are thinking that Stephanie will emerge victorious on this one & I'm thinking maybe so; however, based on prior events & happenings (again, IYKYK), I cannot in good conscience make an endorsement in this race. 

Clerk of Court 

I had a couple folks reach out to me to tell me that winner Stephanie Finnie was NOT a part of Team Craig & was by far the most qualified for this all-too-important constitutional office (the most important of the county constitutional offices, in my opinion); regardless, it's a consensus view that she by far ran the best campaign.

I congratulate our presumptive Clerk of Superior Court. Big shoes to fill there as Ms Linda Hays has served in that capacity for over 40 years. 

There were a couple of other races that weren't really on my radar. 

Until next time. 

Best, 

- MBM