Posted 2:33 am Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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Two Smith County Incumbents Ousted; Runoff Set
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS
Staff Writer
Five contested races for Smith County positions appear to be ending with the apparent re-election of two incumbents, the ousting of two others and two runoffs.
Staff Writer
Five contested races for Smith County positions appear to be ending with the apparent re-election of two incumbents, the ousting of two others and two runoffs.
The declared victors of the primary will not face General Election opponents and therefore win the positions.
Runoff elections are set for July 31.
Runoff elections are set for July 31.
COMMISSIONER PCT. 3
With all 73 precincts reporting in the Republican primary, Terry Phillips, 55, appears to be heading into a runoff election to retain his position as Smith County commissioner for Precinct 3.
Phillips, a real estate investor and manager, ran against Lindale business owner Jimmy Hawley, 46; Winona real estate investor Ronnie Pilcher, 45; and Lindale business owner Ed Watts, 68.
He is to face Pilcher in the runoff — Phillips received 2,384 votes, 36.28 percent; Pilcher got 1,686 votes, 25.65 percent.
Hawley got 1,540 votes, 23.43 percent; Watts, 962 votes or 14.64 percent.
Phillips, a real estate investor and manager, ran against Lindale business owner Jimmy Hawley, 46; Winona real estate investor Ronnie Pilcher, 45; and Lindale business owner Ed Watts, 68.
He is to face Pilcher in the runoff — Phillips received 2,384 votes, 36.28 percent; Pilcher got 1,686 votes, 25.65 percent.
Hawley got 1,540 votes, 23.43 percent; Watts, 962 votes or 14.64 percent.
CONSTABLE PCT. 1
Longtime Precinct 1 Constable Henry Jackson, 60, was heading toward re-election in the Democratic primary, defeating political new-comer Reginald “Reggie” Wilson, 33, a deputy constable for Precinct 3 constable's office.
With all precincts reporting, Jackson received 698 votes, 71.44 percent; Wilson got 279 votes for 28.56 percent.
In early returns, Jackson received 355 votes, for 70.44 percent, compared to Wilson's 149 votes or 29.56 percent.
With all precincts reporting, Jackson received 698 votes, 71.44 percent; Wilson got 279 votes for 28.56 percent.
In early returns, Jackson received 355 votes, for 70.44 percent, compared to Wilson's 149 votes or 29.56 percent.
CONSTABLE PCT. 2
Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin appears to have won his bid to retain the office, defeating challenger James Lee, 74.
Dunklin, 53, received 5,402 votes, or 62.85 percent, compared to Lee's 3,193 votes for 37.15 percent, with all precincts reporting.
In early returns, the incumbent received 2,381 votes, 61.26 percent; Lee, a veteran Smith County lawman, had 1,506 votes.
Dunklin, 53, a retired police officer and Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, was selected as the Republican nominee in 2008 following the death of Frank Creath, who won the March Republican primary.
Dunklin, 53, received 5,402 votes, or 62.85 percent, compared to Lee's 3,193 votes for 37.15 percent, with all precincts reporting.
In early returns, the incumbent received 2,381 votes, 61.26 percent; Lee, a veteran Smith County lawman, had 1,506 votes.
Dunklin, 53, a retired police officer and Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, was selected as the Republican nominee in 2008 following the death of Frank Creath, who won the March Republican primary.
CONSTABLE PCT. 3
A runoff election between two newcomers is likely for the Precinct 3 Constable's office.
Jim Blackmon, Scott McCauley and Bob Overman challenged incumbent Dustin Rust, who finished last.
Blackmon received the most votes, 1,873, 29.62 percent; McAuley, 1,650 votes, 26.09 percent.
Overman got 1,477 votes, 23.36 percent, with Rust finishing with 1,324 votes, 20.94 percent.
In early returns, Rust received only 528 votes, 19.34 percent, compared to Blackmon's 799 votes, 29.27 percent; McAuley with 712 votes, 26.08 percent; and Overman's 691 votes, 25.31 percent.
Rust was recently arrested on charges of abusing official capacity, theft by a public servant and operating a security company without a license following a state investigation, records show. Rusk said the allegations were politically motivated.
Jim Blackmon, Scott McCauley and Bob Overman challenged incumbent Dustin Rust, who finished last.
Blackmon received the most votes, 1,873, 29.62 percent; McAuley, 1,650 votes, 26.09 percent.
Overman got 1,477 votes, 23.36 percent, with Rust finishing with 1,324 votes, 20.94 percent.
In early returns, Rust received only 528 votes, 19.34 percent, compared to Blackmon's 799 votes, 29.27 percent; McAuley with 712 votes, 26.08 percent; and Overman's 691 votes, 25.31 percent.
Rust was recently arrested on charges of abusing official capacity, theft by a public servant and operating a security company without a license following a state investigation, records show. Rusk said the allegations were politically motivated.
CONSTABLE PCT. 5
Kenneth Bibby, a 30-year-plus-lawman and current deputy constable has ousted longtime Precinct No. 5 Constable Dennis Taylor from his 30-year tenure in office.
Bibby hauled in 3,067 votes for 72.23 percent to Taylor's 1,179 votes or 27.77 percent.
In early returns, Bibby hauled in 1,686 votes, or 72.11 percent, compared to the incumbent, who received 652 votes of 27.89 percent.
Bibby, 53, has about 31 years of law enforcement experience that included service with the Smith County Sheriff's Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. He serves as a deputy constable for Precinct No. 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, who was reelected.
Taylor, 60, came under recent scrutiny following a $200,000 settlement on a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him. Taylor denies the allegations.
Staff writer Adam Russell contributed to this report.
Bibby hauled in 3,067 votes for 72.23 percent to Taylor's 1,179 votes or 27.77 percent.
In early returns, Bibby hauled in 1,686 votes, or 72.11 percent, compared to the incumbent, who received 652 votes of 27.89 percent.
Bibby, 53, has about 31 years of law enforcement experience that included service with the Smith County Sheriff's Department and Texas Department of Public Safety. He serves as a deputy constable for Precinct No. 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, who was reelected.
Taylor, 60, came under recent scrutiny following a $200,000 settlement on a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him. Taylor denies the allegations.
Staff writer Adam Russell contributed to this report.
