A steady turnout on a rainy Primary Election Day in Knox County, as 29.46% of the county’s 22,890 registered voters cast ballots either at vote centers or during early voting.
Knox County Clerk David Shelton said that marks an increase from the 24% turnout recorded in the primary four years ago.
Knox County saw more activity on both the Republican and Democratic ballots compared to surrounding counties.
One of the most closely watched races was for Knox County Sheriff. Four current deputies competed for the Republican nomination. Dan Short received the most votes, totaling 2,155 votes, or 40.55%. He defeated Mike Fisher, John Fuller, and Paul Jones. Short will move on to face Democrat Brian Hagen in the general election.
In the Republican primary for County Assessor, Zac Harper led the field with 2,087 votes, or 44.27%. Robert “Woody” Woodward followed with 1,952 votes, or 41.41%, and Ovi Ciceu received 675 votes, or 14.32%.
The race for County Recorder was won by Vickie Bottoms, who received 2,877 votes, or 59.03%. Blake Wilson received 1,997 votes, or 40.97%.
In County Commissioner District 3, Matt Hoffman won the Republican nomination with 2,693 votes, or 53.13%, over Richard Chattin, who received 2,376 votes, or 46.87%.
For County Council District 1, Terry Vieck received 454 votes, or 66.86%, defeating incumbent Mary Crismore, who received 225 votes, or 33.14%.
In County Council District 3, incumbent Jay Yochum received 905 votes, or 49.48%, defeating Kelley Kopp Hopwood, who received 564 votes, or 30.84%, and Brett Dawson, who received 360 votes, or 19.68%.
And in County Council District 4, Brandy Toney received 805 votes, or 56.65%, defeating Rob French, who received 616 votes, or 43.35%.
With 65 percent of the vote counted, results are taking shape in statehouse races affecting Knox County.
In State Representative District 45, Kellie Streeter leads incumbent Bruce Borders with 52.8% of the vote, totaling 1,975 votes. Borders has 47.2%. Streeter will go on to face Democrat Becky Mayfield of Greene County in the November election.
In the State Senate District 39 race, Jeff Ellington holds the lead with 44.8% of the vote, or 3,233 votes. Kristi Risk follows with 35.4%, totaling 2,557 votes, while Tanner Bouchie has 19.8%. Ellington will face Democrat Joseph Baughman of Vincennes in the November Election.
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Representative in Indiana’s 8th District, Mary Allen leads the field, followed by Tabitha Zeigler, Christopher Rector, and Mario Foradori. Allen will go on to challenge incumbent Congressman Mark Messmer in November.
