Pickett Defeats Woodruff in Solicitor Race in Stephens Co.

Ann Pickett will be the next State Court Solicitor of Stephens County.

Pickett, the Republican challenger, defeated Democratic incumbent Willie Woodruff, in Tuesday’s election.

She received 6,101 votes, or 63.72 percent, to Woodruff’s 3,471 votes, or 36.25 percent.

Pickett said she is excited to take over the post for the next four years.

“First off, I want to thank my opponent,” said Pickett. “I think we ran a good, clean race and I am really pleased about the turnout. I think it was exceptional and we look forward to bringing change to the Solicitor’s office for the people of Stephens County.”

Meanwhile, Woodruff said he appreciates everyone who stood for him during the campaign.

“First of all, I would like to thank Ann Pickett on becoming the next Solicitor General for the people of Stephens County,” said Woodruff. “I would like to thank all of my supporters for all of their hard work and energy and selfless effort that they poured into this campaign. I could not have asked for a better set of more committed people to this cause and I just hope they will be as enlightened as I have been through this whole process and be motivated to be greater participants in our government and our community.”

Looking at other races, Stephens County went for Donald Trump by a vote of 7,682, or 77.83 percent, for Trump to 1,835 for Hillary Clinton, or 18.59 percent, and 243 for Gary Johnson, or 2.46 percent.

In the U.S. Senate, Johnny Isakson won Stephens County with 7,281 votes, or 79.34 percent, to Jim Barksdale’s 1,546 votes, or 16.85 percent, and Allen Buckley’s 346 votes, or 3.77 percent.

Stephens County also chose Tim Echols in the Public Service Commission by a vote of 7,719 to 1,288 over Libertarian challenger Eric Hoskins.

Moving to the Constitutional Amendment questions, Stephens County voted “No” on Question 1 by a count of 5,875 to 3,656; “Yes” on Question 2 by a vote of 7,974 to 1,396; “Yes” on Question 3 by a count of 5,618 to 3,156; and “Yes” on Question 4 by a count of 7,518 to 1,857.

Turnout in Stephens County was 75.59 percent with 9,926 votes cast.

Stephens County Registrar Bill Cochran said voting went well on Tuesday.

“Things went very smooth,” said Cochran. “I think the voter experience was very good. We had minimal issues. The poll workers did an excellent job.”

Stephens County joined Georgia in voting for Trump, Isakson, and Echols.

Also, the county joined the statewide on the constitutional amendments, which statewide went “No” on Question 1, the Opportunity School District amendment, and “Yes” on the other three.

All results are unofficial until they are certified.