Clinton trumps Obama in Democratic primary
Voter turnout considered moderate
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

A weary Johnny Patterson, carrying a voting machine and a ballot box for Precinct 10, makes his way to the Cherokee County Clerk's office after the polls close on election night. His wife, Mary Ann Patterson, trails behind. LELAND ACKER

Voter turnout was termed moderate in Tuesday's Cherokee County primary elections. A total of 9,424 persons cast ballots in the Democratic and Republican primary election. Ballot boxes began coming in early, shortly after the precinct caucus closed. This is the first Texas election held to determine Texas delegates to the National Conventions. The caucuses have been called the "Texas Two-Step" as voters were given an opportunity to cast a vote in the primary election and then attend the precinct convention or caucus.

County voters went for Hillary Clinton and John McCain in the presidential races.

Mrs. Clinton received 56.54 percent of the Democratic votes and Barack Obama received 40.58 percent.

On the Republican side, Sen. McCain received 51.17 percent and Mike Huckabee, 41.97 percent.

The closest local race was between Republicans Jack White with 417 votes and 50.24 percent and Jake Carter with 413 votes and 49.76 percent. However, those figures could change as military ballots have not been counted, said Josie Schoolcraft, County Republican chairman.

Democrats incumbent Precinct 3 commissioner Moody Glass Jr. and former com- missioner F.E. Hassell will meet in a run-off election April 8. Mr. Glass received 47.52 percent of the votes and Mr. Hassell, 28.84 percent. The other candidate Randall Bonner received 23.63 percent of the total votes cast.

Kelly Traylor led his challengers for the Republican nomination for Precinct 1 commissioner with 57.72 percent of the vote. Kevin Lankford received 27.09 percent and James Bacon Sr., 15.18 percent.

Candidates filled the hallways of the county courthouse hopefully waiting for the final returns.

Box by box totals were not released and returns were given for early vote, with 17 boxes and then final returns.

Winners breathed a sigh of relief and losers felt their lose.

The majority of the local elections were uncontested, but a number will have opponents in the fall.