Marengo sheriff race headed to runoff, revenue commissioner decided
LINDEN — The race for Marengo County Sheriff is far from over after Tuesday’s Democratic Primary sent incumbent Richard “Ben” Bates and Phillip Myers to a runoff.
Both candidates pulled just over 37 percent of the vote Tuesday with Myers tallying 2,735 ballots as compared to 2,713 for Bates.
“I think that my service record prior helped me and it set the groundwork for people that thought I could do a good job,” Myers said. “I am overwhelmed and humbled by the votes that I got.”
“I’ve always been honest with people. A lot of times what I tell them is not what they want to hear, but it is the truth. When you come into my office, I don’t care whether you’re the president or a streetwalker, you’re going to be treated with respect,” Bates said, noting what he believes has served him well over the course of the campaign.
Bates said he worked to strike a balance in fighting to keep his job and continuing to effectively do his job.
“This time was different,” Bates, said, drawing a contrast between this campaign and the 2010 election. “I didn’t get a chance to meet as many people. When I started campaigning and a call or something would come in, I had to stop campaigning and go do the job. I didn’t want to get so complacent working trying to keep the job that I forgot to do the job.”
As the tandem readies for their runoff campaigns, both men are focused on repeating their successes.
“There is still a lot of work to be done,” Myers said. “We’re just going to have to sway some votes and people to come out and vote. We need the turnout.”
“I’m going to keep on doing what I’ve been doing since I’ve taken office and just do my job; enforce the law, care for the people during adverse weather and just whatever comes up that the sheriff needs to be doing for the citizens of Marengo County,” Bates said.
Demopolis Police Department Chief Tommie Reese totaled 1,146 votes while Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Tommy Johnson finished with 640.
The runoff is set for Tuesday, July 15.
Also on the ballot during that election will be the Marengo County Board of Education seat from District 4. That race saw challenger Chester Moore take 629 votes (41.33 percent) while incumbent Arthur J. Hopson came up with 464 (30.49 percent). Charles Chapman pulled 429 votes (28.19 percent).
“It went really well. According to the communities that I will serve in the district, most people want a change. They want things to be different than what they are. With the three candidates, Mr. Chapman carried some votes. I feel people will vote for me in the second round. I think Chapman and I have some of the same ideas about the changes that need to be made. I really feel good about the runoff,” Moore said. “I think people really want a change. I think people realize that things have stagnated. As a matter of fact, some things are not as people would like them to be.”
Two races were settled Tuesday as John Crawford Jr. totaled 800 votes (51.09 percent) to win the County Commission District No. 3 seat. Terry W. Hinton Sr. finished with 612 votes while Billie Jo Eatmon had 154.
In the race for Revenue Commissioner, incumbent Sharon Barkley beat challenger Chuck Barkley 5,353 votes for 1,550.
“I felt it was important to make people aware of what had been done since my taking office,” Barkley said of her strategy during the campaign. “I want to thank those who worked so hard and gave of their time to help me in this campaign.”
Barkley said she is excited about the her coming term.
“I plan to continue to keep expenses low, so that more money is distributed to schools and other agencies,” Barkley said. “Also, our office wants to insure that all property is being assessed and appraised fairly. I love my job and I am thankful to be able to continue doing what I enjoy.”