Studdard stuns Ballard

Fayette officials report extraordinary turnout

By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

Practically unknown on the local political scene, newcomer Sheila Studdard pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday, ousting longtime Superior Court clerk W.A. "Bud" Ballard 21,734 to 18,231.

Fayette voters turned out in droves Tuesday to elect three county officials, decide referendum questions and participate in state and national elections.

Election officials reported 82.6 percent voter turnout in Fayette, about the same percentage as in 1992 but with many more total registered voters.

Studdard, a Republican, led during most of the vote counting Tuesday night, receiving 54.38 percent of the votes cast.

Although Ballard is a Democratic incumbent in a county that votes heavily for Republicans, observers were shocked at the upset. Ballard has served in the post for seven terms and has been a fixture in local politics for decades.

That race was the only big surprise in local balloting, as Republican A.G. VanLandingham won the Post 1 County Commission seat 26,014 to 12,610 over Democrat Elizabeth Jane Barnes, and Republican Marion Key took the Post 3 Board of Education seat over William Bryan III, 27,788 to 10,914.

Republican challenger Bryan Hilton narrowly edged out incumbent state Sen. Greg Hecht in Fayette, 9,334 to 8,225, but Hecht pulled enough votes in the rest of his 34th District to win reelection easily, 31,754 to 19,703.

And, as expected, Fayette's U.S. congressman, Rep. Mac Mattingly, coasted into reelection over Democratic challenger Gail Notti, winning 30,903 to 9,783 in Fayette and 146,668 to 83,348 district-wide.

A $65 million bond referendum to build new schools and improve older ones passed 22,725 to 16,325, and Fayetteville voters gave the nod to legalizing liquor by the drink, 1,157 to 940.

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