By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com (Photos by Zach Hester)
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — In spite of a long evening of election returns at the national level, the night was short for results in DeKalb County as a red wave overtook and saw local Republicans depose Democrats across the County. All vote totals are pending the counting of provisional ballots.
In the race for DeKalb County Sheriff, Republican Nick Welden defeated former state senator John Baker with 17,132 votes to Baker’s 4,227 votes.
Baker conceded by congratulating incoming Sheriff Welden and saying, “The people have spoken and you’ve got my support as Sheriff of DeKalb County.”
“We have fought a hard race...for eighteen months of our lives. We started clean eighteen months ago and we fought clean over those eighteen months,” said Welden to a room full of his supporters. “It’s amazing to look at the people that just came out and pushed so hard for us and for that I’m thankful for each and every one in this county that believed in us.”
Todd Greeson defeated incumbent Circuit Clerk Pam Simpson by a margin of 13,950 votes to 7,444 votes.
In his victory speech, Greeson thanked his wife (who suffered a stroke last Friday) and supporters. “I’ve got some shoes to fill and I intend to operate that office, no matter what your party is, I intend to serve you. I want to thank everyone and thank God for the blessings he gave me this weekend...and my wife and family for their support.”
Simpson, who has held the office of Circuit Clerk since 2007, said in a concession speech, “I want to thank all my supporters. I know it’s not a good night for us, but we hold our head up. We did 43 years of public service and I’m proud of every year I did.”
DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow was elected to another term over Ben Johnston by a margin of 16,796 votes to 4,388 votes.
“I don’t have the vocabulary to express my appreciation for you and to you,” said Harcrow in his victory speech as he held his one-month old grandson. He thanked his opponent, Ben Johnston, for being nothing but a Christian gentleman throughout the campaign as well.
In the race for District 4 of the DeKalb County Commission, Republican Lester Black defeated incumbent Democrat DeWitt Jackson by a margin of 3,375 votes to 2,510 votes.
Jackson said, “It sure has been a joy serving the people of DeKalb County. It’s been a good run. I congratulate my opponent, Lester Black. He has run a good race.”
Black thanked his opponent for a clean race and said, "I appreciate all the people who helped me run. I will work with the Commission in harmony."
All four statewide amendments passed with overwhelming support. Each garnering at least 59% support from voters across the state.
The Republican Party also won big across the state of Alabama with all statewide offices including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State seeing the Grand Ol’ Party hold on to those seats.
Kay Ivey, who became the first Republican woman to be elected to a full term as Governor of Alabama, said, “The people of Alabama have spoken today, loud and clear. We want to keep Alabama on the right track and keep Alabama working.” Ivey defeated Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox by a margin of 59-41 points.
The lone outlier of the night was the overturn of the Republican majority in the United States House of Representatives. Despite Republicans picking up several seats in the Senate, the House will be blue come next January.
For a full list of final vote tallies in DeKalb County, please visit dekalbelection.org.
