Post Two County Commission Race Appears Headed for Run-Off

The race for Post Two on the Stephens County Commission appears headed to a run-off in July.

Tuesday night, five Republicans vied for the position, which faces no Democratic opposition in the Fall.

Incumbent Debbie Whitlock tallied the most votes, getting 1,857 votes, or 49.53 percent.

However, that number is not enough to avoid a run-off election, which requires getting 50 percent plus one vote.

Whitlock said she thanks those who helped her earn the most votes on Tuesday.

“I just want to thank everybody for their support and everybody that came out and voted and it was very close and I just hope I have your continued support,” said Whitlock. “Just thank you for all the votes.”

Finishing second and earning a spot in the likely run-off is Kenny Yearwood, who received 881 votes, or 23.5 percent.

Yearwood said he appreciates everyone who went out and voted and he looks forward to a run-off.

“It looks like it is going to be a lot of hard work,” said Yearwood. “Incumbents are always hard to beat. Debbie is an old friend of mine and I have no axe to grind with anybody. I just stepped out on a leap of faith here and I am excited. This is a first for me. I am just tickled to death. I really am, to be in a runoff against an old friend of mine.”

Election officials report that there are seven provisional ballots that could still factor into the totals, as well as any pending military or overseas ballots that still come in.

However, it appears unlikely at this time that it would create enough of a change to prevent a run-off.

Jonesy Haygood finished third in the Post 2 county commission primary with 707 votes, or 18.86 percent. Henry Moore finished fourth with 185 votes, or 4.93 percent, and Larry Krul finished fifth with 119 votes, or 3.17 percent.

Meanwhile, Stephens County Commissioner Dennis Bell was re-elected to his Post 3 seat without opposition.