Scarbrough wins, Jackson new face on commission

Published 10:51 pm Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Incumbent Pike County Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarbrough celebrates with family and friends at the Pike County Courthouse after finding out she’d been chosen to serve six more years.

Incumbent Circuit Clerk Jamie Scarbrough celebrated her anniversary with an election night victory on Tuesday.

Scarbrough earned 55 percent of the votes, defeating Democratic candidate Daryl Calhoun 7,553 to 6,070, in unofficial results.

“I am just happy to have all of my family here from Mississippi and Florida and here in Pike County,” Scarbrough said after watching the results come in at the Pike County Courthouse Tuesday night. “And it’s my anniversary. What a great way to celebrate.

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“Now I am glad that I can focus on the next six years and doing good things in the office.”

The race for circuit clerk was the only countywide contested race in Pike County, and Scarbrough was declared winner by 9 p.m. Five other contested district races were on the Tuesday ballot.

In the District 1 Pike County Commission race, incumbent Homer Wright received 1,566 votes. That translates into more than 75 percent of the votes cast. Republican candidate Walter Murphy received 516 votes.

In District 3, with more than 68 percent of votes, incumbent Commissioner Jimmy Barron will return for another term. Barron received 1,516 votes compared to Democratic challenger Samuel Lewis’ 695 votes.

“I am very pleased with the results,” Barron said. “I am real humbled at the continued support in District 3 and thank (the residents) for having put faith and confidence in me for the next four years.”

In District 4, incumbent Commissioner Ray Goodson beat Republican challenger Ryan Flowers with more than 56 percent of the votes. Goodson received 1,391 votes and Flowers earned 1,073.

In District 6, Democratic challenger Doristine Sankey couldn’t best Republican candidate Joey Jackson who received almost 71 percent of the vote. Sankey had 779 votes and Jackson boasted 1,905.

“I was a little bit surprised, but we worked really hard. We went door-to-door,” Jackson said. “I am just ready to get to work. I am humbled and glad that I got all the support I got from everyone in District 6. I appreciate it.”

Also in District 6 was a contested school board race. Incumbent Pike County School Board member Chris Wilkes hung on to his spot with more than 68 percent of the vote. Democratic challenger Jim Knight received 827 votes and Wilkes took away 1,835.

There will be continued coverage online and in Thursday’s print edition to include thoughts from even more candidates. Brittany Harrison contributed to this story.