Long captures top commission post

Somerville’s mayor has captured the top seat on the Morgan County Commission.
Ray Long, a Republican, defeated Democrat Clay New, replacing current commission chair John Glasscock. Long defeated Glasscock and two others challengers in the GOP primary.
Long received 72 percent, or 27,916 votes, to New’s 29 percent, or 11,013 votes.
Long is planning a swearing in ceremony Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the old courthouse in Somerville. The other new commissioners will be sworn in at the next day’s meeting.
Long has served as Somerville’s mayor since 2004 and has worked for GE for 20 years.
Republicans captured the other two available seats as well.
GOP incumbent Jeff Clark defeated challenger Darrell Allen, a Democrat, 73 percent, or 27,845 votes, to 27 percent, or 10,547 votes. Clark is the only incumbent to win reelection to his county post.
The GOP also captured the District Two seat, with Randy Vest garnering 73 percent, or 28,007 votes, to James Ray Bowling’s 27 percent, or 10,201. Vest replaces incumbent Ken Livingston, whom he defeated in the GOP primary.
In the race for Morgan County Sheriff, Ana Franklin was successful in her bid to become the county’s first female sheriff. She received 62 percent, or 23,916 votes, to Democrat Tom Little’s 39 perecent, or 14,973 votes. She replaces incumbent Greg Bartlett, whom she defeated in the primary.
Republican Jeff Chunn will be replacing outgoing coroner Russ Beard, who opted not to seek reelection. Chunn received 73 percent, or 28,129 votes, to challenger Brent Gailey’s 27 percent, or 10,213 votes.
In the only contested race involving the Morgan County School Board, Republican Paul Holmes handily defeated Stacy Lee George, a former member of the Morgan County Commission. Holmes received 74 percent, or 11,280 votes, to George’s 26 percent, or 4,065 to win the post.