Three first time politicians tossed their hats in the ring and won victories and one incumbent held his seat on the PIke County Commission in Tuesday’s primary races.

Winning their first time out were Republican Russell Johnson, District 6, and Republican Chad Copeland, District 4, and District 4 Democratic candidate Steve Thrash. Republican incumbent Jimmy Barron held his District 3 seat on the Pike County Commission.

Johnson defeated incumbent Joey Jackson in Pike County District 6 race, 850 to 533, or 61.46 percent to 38.54 percent.

Johnson said the win was a humbling experience, as was the entire campaign.

“The campaign was a huge amount of work,” Johnson said. “We walked and drove around the county talking with people and I had a large group of people working for me. My wife and family were there with me all the way. It was just a humbling experience to have people working like that for my campaign.”

Johnson expressed appreciation to Jackson for running a clean campaign.

“I’m proud of the kind of campaign we ran.”

Johnson will take office in November.

“Until then, I’m going around the district talking to people about what they see as the needs in the county. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running working for the people of District 6 and all Pike County.”

In the District 4 race, the party nominees were selected. Thrash, a newcomer, handily won the Democratic nomination with 159 votes (62.11 percent) to Odies Pop Townsend’s 97 votes (37.89 percent). Townsend had withdrawn from the race earlier this year.

Republican Chad Copeland a candidate for Pike County Commission District 4 defeated Andy Sheffield, also a newcomer to politics, 722 to 514 or 58.41 percent to 41.59 percent.

Copeland and Thrash will face off in November’s general election for the seat.

Copeland said he was proud and honored to be the Republican nominee. He expressed appreciation to all of those who worked for him and supported him in Tuesday election.

“I congratulate Andy Sheffield on a well run campaign,” Copeland said. “Ours was a model of how to work hard and run a clean campaign.”

Copeland said he will take a small break from the campaign trail and then start working all over again as he heads into the General Election in November.

Sheffield congratulated Copeland on a good race and expressed appreciation to all of those who supported him in seeking the commission seat.

“Everyone was nice and cordial as I went around the county,” he said. “The campaign was a good experience and I really appreciate the support of the people in District 4.”

In Pike County Commission District 3, Republican incumbent Jimmy Barron defeated political newcomer Forrest Lee 737 to 399, or 64.88 percent to 35.12 percent.

Two first time politicians tossed their hats in the ring and won victories in the Pike County Commission primary elections Tuesday and an incumbent held his seat on the Pike County Commission.

Winning their first time out were Republican Russell Johnson District 6 and Republican Chad Copeland, District 4. Republican incumbent Jimmy Barron held his District 3 seat on the Pike County Commission.

Johnson defeated incumbent Joey Jackson in Pike County District 6 race.

Johnson said the win was a humbling experience, as was the entire campaign.

“The campaign was a huge amount of work,” Johnson said. “We walked and drove around the county talking with people and I had a large group of people working for me. My wife and family were there with me all the way. It was just a humbling experience to have people working like that for my campaign.”

Johnson expressed appreciation to Jackson for running a clean campaign. “I’m proud of the kind of campaign we ran.” Johnson will take office in November.

“Until then, I’m going around the district talking to people about what they see as the needs in the county. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running working for the people of District 6 and all Pike County.”

Republican Chad Copeland a candidate for Pike County Commission District 4 defeated Andy Sheffield, also a newcomer to politics, and will now face Democrat Steve Thrash in November’s General Election. District 4 Commissioner Ray Goodson did not seek re-election.

Copeland said he was proud and honored to be the Republican candidate for Pike County Commission District 4 in the General Election. He expressed appreciation to all of those who worked for him and supported him in Tuesday election. “I congratulate Andy Sheffield on a well run campaign,” Copeland said. “Ours was a model of how to work hard and run a clean campaign.”

Copeland said he will take a small break from the campaign trail and then start working all over again as he heads into the General Election in November. Sheffield congratulated Copeland on a good race and expressed appreciation to all of those who supported him in seeking the commission seat.

“Everyone was nice and cordial as I went around the county,” he said. “The campaign was a good experience and I really appreciate the support of the people in District 4.”

Lee said he congratulated Barron on the win. “I certainly want to congratulate Jimmy on his re-election and all of the other winners,” Lee said. “And I want to thank the people who supported me and voted for me. The campaign was an enjoyable experience. I got to meet and get to know a lot of people and got to hear their concerns. Pike County has great people. The campaign was a good learning experience for me.”

In other Pike County results, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Alabama, handily defeated her challengers earning 3,848 votes or 76.29 percent. Becky Gerritson earned 903 votes and Robert L. “Bob” Rogers earned 293.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, won 71.03 percent of the Pike County votes, or 3,519, with Jonathan McConnell earning 23.31 percent, or 1,155.

Pike County overwhelming supported Donald Trump on the Republican primary ticket, as he captured 45.99 percent of the votes, or 2,493. Ted Cruz placed second with 20.14 percent, or 1,092 votes and Marco Rubio third with 14.72 percent, or 798 votes. Hillary Clinton won 83.7 percent of the Pike County Democratic votes, or 2,183, and Bernie Sanders earned 379, or 14.53 percent.

Pike County overwhelming supported Amendment No. 1, 68.29 percent to 31.71 percent or 4,624-2,147.

For more complete results from PIke County, see www.troymessenger.com