By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The governor’s race is obviously the major focus for the commonwealth as a whole.
Here at home, though, Carter County citizens got to decide if they’ll add another wet district to the otherwise dry county. The county voted to pass the measure with a tiny turnout – 2 voted in favor of the move, and no one voted against it.
With passage of the referendum, Carter Caves special district will join the cities of Grayson and Olive Hill as an area licensed to sale and serve alcohol in the otherwise dry county.
The move could potentially be a boon to the park, allowing them to host wine tastings, hold champagne toasts during events on New Year’s Eve, and offer food and drink pairings in the lodge’s restaurant.
In the governor’s race, challenger Daniel Cameron took the most votes, but it was a close race, with Carter County voting 3,321 to 2,978 to replace Governor Andy Beshear. That number is so close, in fact, that County Clerk Mike Johnston’s office reported they will have to recount each of those votes, because they fell under the 5% margin of victory required by the state.
The close nature of the race – Beshear was up in early reporting, but the pair traded the lead several times as numbers were updated throughout the evening – is testament to the Democratic governors popularity, even in an overwhelmingly Republican leaning county.
In other races, the GOP candidates won handily.
In the Attorney General race, for instance, Republican Russell Coleman got almost twice the votes of Democratic rival Pamela Stevenson, winning 4,062 to 2,140.
For Secretary of State, Democratic challenger Buddy Wheatley received 2,137 votes to incumbent Michael Adams 4,042 votes.
In the Auditor’s race Allison Ball received 3,969 votes while Democrat, and Soldier area native, Kimberley Reeder took 2,190 votes.
In the treasurer race, Carter County chose Republican Mark Metcalf over Democrat Michael Bowman with 3,902 votes to Bowman’s 2,242 votes.
In the Agriculture Commissioner race, Republican Jonathan Shell took 4,131 votes to Democrat Sierra Enlow’s 2,029.
Carter County is only one of Kentucky’s 120 counties, and its numbers will be added to the state total to determine who wins statewide office.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com