Republicans, Democrats decide key local races in Clark County primary

Voters across Clark County selected nominees and township board members in several closely watched primary races Tuesday, with competitive contests for county offices, township boards and state legislative seats.

In one of the closest races of the night, Kenneth J. Alexander narrowly defeated Doug Reiter in the Republican primary for Silver Creek Township Board Member. Alexander received 551 votes, or 50.6%, compared to Reiter’s 537 votes, or 49.4%.

The Republican race for Owen Township Board Member was also tight, with Ronald Jones edging Larry Graebe by just three votes. Jones earned 84 votes, or 50.9%, while Graebe received 81 votes, or 49.1%.

In the Jeffersonville Township Board Republican contest, Shawn L. Grant won with 1,530 votes, or 54.9%, defeating Brandon C. Snyder, who received 1,258 votes, or 45.1%.

Three candidates competed for Charlestown Township Board seats on the Republican ballot. Harold G. Goodlett Jr. led the field with 740 votes, or 35.2%, followed by Rob Caudill with 712 votes, or 33.9%, and Dan Roberts with 651 votes, or 31%.

Republican voters in Carr Township selected Rebecca Carlton-Mielke with 307 votes, or 35.7%, ahead of Samuel Jones with 296 votes, or 34.4%, and Ronald F. Reimer with 257 votes, or 29.9%.

In Monroe Township, Republican Brian Lovins defeated Stella M. Valentine with 57.2% of the vote. Lovins received 452 votes compared to Valentine’s 338. On the Democratic side, Thomas “Tom” Higdon won the Monroe Township Board race with 229 votes, or 62.4%, while Jason Prather received 138 votes, or 37.6%.

Jerry Dickey won the Democratic primary for Bethlehem Township Board Member with 61.1% of the vote, defeating Eric Schnatter.

Republican voters in Utica Township selected Joshua R. Lynch, Nikki Elder and Jeff Johnson in a three-way board race. Lynch led with 385 votes, followed closely by Elder with 379 and Johnson with 356.

In Union Township, Matthew Meyer led the Republican field with 260 votes, followed by Jeff Bridges Sr. with 237 and Seven C. Ricketts with 203.Four Democratic candidates emerged from the Jeffersonville Township Board race. Shirley J. Bell led with 2,423 votes, followed by Scott Gardner with 1,772, Jeffrey Lovan with 1,536 and Don Vogel with 1,376.

In county races, Nate Combs won the Republican primary for Clark County Council District 4, defeating David Ray Abbott by a margin of 58.2% to 41.8%.Scott Hawkins secured the Republican nomination for Clark County Commissioner District 3 with 4,722 votes, or 65.8%, defeating Timothy T. Chochran II.

Both major parties also selected nominees for Clark County sheriff. On the Democratic side, Tim Deeringer defeated Edward H. Byers with 61.2% of the vote. In the Republican primary, Kenny Kavanaugh Jr. defeated Scottie Maples with 64.6%.

In state legislative contests, James R. McClure Jr. won the Republican primary for State House District 71, defeating D.M. Bagshaw with 55.1% of the vote.

Republican incumbent Scott L. Fluhr captured the GOP nomination in State House District 70, defeating John D. Colburn with 68.5% of the vote.

The Democratic primary for State House District 70 saw Sarah Blessing finish first with 49.9% of the vote, ahead of Jerry Finn with 37% and Tamyra Persinger-Andres with 13.1%.