Glass, Hassell in runoff
BY LELAND ACKER

Highly contested local elections coupled with an unsettled presidential primary drove voters to the polls Tuesday. Moody Glass, Precinct 3 commissioner, said the increased interest in local politics is a good thing.

"I'm glad to see the voter turnout and the voters' interest," he said. "I hope that interest continues throughout the rest of the year."

Mr. Glass faced a three-way race for re-election in the Democratic Primary, running against challengers F.E. Hassell and Randall Bonner.

He was unable to secure a majority of votes, meaning that he will have to face Mr. Hassell in the run-off election.

"I was surprised so many decided to run," Mr. Glass said. "I'm humbled by the outpouring of voter support. Having a run-off means there are 30 more days of campaigning, trying to get the voters to come back out. This is the part of the job I do not care for."

The winner of the run-off election will face Republican challenger Katherine Pinotti, who was unopposed in the Republican primary.

In the Precinct 1 Republican primary, Kelly Traylor won 54.62 percent of the vote, preventing a run-off. Traylor was opposed by Kevin Lankford and James Bacon, Sr.

"I'm ecstatic,"Mr. Traylor said. "I'm pleased with the voter turnout and the results. We worked very hard to get to this point."

Mr. Traylor received 57.72 percent of the early vote, and 51.55 percent of the vote on election day.

"I'm really pleased with the early voting turnout," he said. "I'm really looking forward to working hard as commissioner for all of Precinct 1 and Cherokee County.

"I'm thankful to all who helped on this campaign."

Mr. Traylor does not face an opponent in the general election.