MaryGail Douglas and Sheriff Herman Young were the winners in Fairfield County’s runoff elections.
Just over 31 percent of voters turned out in Fairfield County on Tuesday.
Douglas won the House District Seat No. 41 with 2,784 votes to Annie McDaniel who finished second with 2,198 votes. Douglas will face Republican William Gray in the November election.
“I am still just floating. I am thrilled and so happy that so many people came out to vote,” Douglas said. “I am going to take a few weeks to decompress before cranking her election campaign up again in September.”
In the Fairfield County Sheriff’s race, Young placed first with 2,480 votes to Will Montgomery who placed second with 2,304 votes.
For Montogmery the mood was more subdued, yet he was gracious in defeat.
“I appreciate the support I received. It was a close race and a clean race,” Montgomery said.
Young was pleased to retain his office another term. After six terms and 20 years as sheriff he pledges to continue the department’s programs like the Home Alone and SRO program as he moves forward.
“I really appreciate all the voters who came out. Usually you don’t get such a turnout for a runoff election. I certainly wish we had raised more votes than we did but I am thankful for the support we received,” he said.
Young reminded citizens of his open door policy. If a person wants to talk to me, the door is always open. He said he would arrange for them to speak with an expert in a specialized law enforcement area if need be.
“Hopefully we will continue doing what we are doing to protect and serve everyone in the county. Our deputies, office and staff are doing a phenomenal job an I look forward to going out and doing a fantastic job as well,” Young said.
Young remains sheriff because he has no Republican opposition in the fall.
Election results were not announced until around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Absentee ballots caused the delay. Absentee ballots arrived before they had been entered into the format for the voting machines to tally the final results electronically.
Election officials had to input the absentee results.
They had to use revised absentee ballots for persons in the runoff and as as a result per procedure, either a candidate or a representative of said candidate had to be present when the absentee votes were transferred over.
Once the votes were transferred and read into the absentee reader to tabulate the paper ballots, the results were announced to the crowd of over 50 people who gathered at the Fairfield County Voter Registration and Elections Offices.
Cheryl Calcutt and her husband, Randy, attended for the first time and were excited of the prospect of a new sheriff for the county.
Lavonne Martin made sure her son, James Ross, who is interested in becoming a lawyer came out to learn of the political process.
“We are here to do what is best for our community. It is all about our future generations,” Martin said. “I was raised around Vandell Davis and my mother has friends on county council, Ross said.
He also cited the influence of Carnell Murphy as getting him interested in politics. Lashawn Wise, a music minister at Holy Bible Church attended with his pastor, Wade Gadson. Gadson said they came out to see if change would come.
“If you want change, you have to get out and vote,” Gadsen said.
Good morning Pineywood:
Your statement shows that you agree with my logic. Nevertheless, let me attempt to explain my logic: Although Fairfield County is almost 60% African American, Whites normally out vote African Americans by 6-8%--although more African Americans are registered. Therefore, the electorate in Fairfield County is predominantly White on election day. If voters were voting for the candidates predominantly on race, then Sheriff Young would not have won because he was opposed by a very experienced white candidate who ran an effective campaign. Sheriff Young had to receive a substantial portion of the white vote in order to win the election. Moreover, the numbers received by Ms. Douglas establishes that she received a substantial number of African American votes--Ms. McDaniel lost in predominantly Black precincts, including Hickory Ridge and Greenbriar (her home community). Based upon the above facts, voting predominantly on race would not have produced the results that evolved. I hope this explains my logic a little better. Take care.
Ernest E. Yarborough, J.D.
Columbia, SC
But forever a native of Fairfield County
Ernest E. Yarborough, J.D.
Columbia, SC
But forever a native of Fairfield County