Published: May 14, 2008 01:41 am         

First-time candidate enjoys large lead

LEWISBURG — The race for the Democratic nominee for county commission appeared to be in hand for first-time candidate Karen Lobban, who enjoyed a big lead with 24 of 36 precincts reporting. Lobban, an Alderson businesswoman, led with 45 percent of the total vote and had 2,336 votes.

Her nearest competitor, Bruce Bowling of White Sulphur Springs, had 1,537 votes.

The eventual winner will take on incumbent Republican Lowell Rose who is seeking his second term as county commissioner. Rose ran unopposed and is currently the commission’s president. Rose had tallied 902 votes Tuesday evening with 24 of 36 precincts reporting.

“I’m very excited the way the voting is going so far. I’ve worked really hard and it’s been a phenomenal experience.” Lobban said while waiting for additional vote counts Tuesday evening at the county courthouse. “I’ve met a lot of good people and If I am the nominee, I will be coming back to see all of you again.

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In the division one race for the 11th Judicial Circuit judge, which comprises Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties, Joseph C. Pomponio led Steve Hunter by a little more than 200 votes with 24 of 36 precincts reporting by a tally of 2,499 votes to 2,289 votes. Pocahontas County vote totals were not readily available Tuesday night.

Pomponio was appointed to the position in 2007 by Gov. Joe Manchin after longtime Judge Frank E. Jolliffe retired. The eventual winner will take on Republican Jesse Guills, who ran unopposed and had 962 votes.

In division two, Democrat Jim Rowe ran unopposed and had garnered 4,320 thus far. Rowe is the chief circuit judge in Greenbrier County and this is his 12th year as judge. His Republican opponent in the fall, Lewisburg lawyer Barry Bruce also ran unopposed. Bruce had tallied 792 votes with 24 of 36 precincts reporting. Pocahontas county totals were also not available.

In the race for the 15th Family Court Circuit, lone Democratic candidate, David M. Sanders had totaled 3,748 votes.

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The assessor’s race saw the same two opponents from the 2004 Democratic primary. Incumbent Steve Keadle of Alderson and Nancy Sartor of Lewisburg. Keadle led Sartor by a total of 2,917 votes to 2,270 votes with 24 of 36 precincts reporting. Sartor served as assessor from 1996 to 2000. No Republicans filed for the seat.

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In the race for magistrate, three incumbents had comfortable leads with 24 of 36 precincts reporting. Incumbent Brenda Smith led the pack with 3,539 votes with incumbent Brenda Campbell in second place with 3,162 votes, and incumbent Doug Beard had 2,770 votes. Newcomer Julia Thompson, of Rupert, trailed all three with 2,083 votes. No Republicans filed for any of the three seats.

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In the Board of Education race, Robert “Bob” Toothman led three other candidates with 3,328 votes with 24 of 36 precincts reporting. Hazel Flanagan Reed was second with 2,469 votes and Frances Jane Workman had 2,417 votes. The top two were elected to the board. Rounding out the race was Marvin Morgan with 3,328 votes.

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The only special election on the ballot was the continuation of the county’s additional school levy which has been on the books for the last 34 years. With 24 of 36 precincts reporting, 4,578 had voted for and 1,964 had voted against the levy. The special levy is a tax placed on real estate property which directly funds educational programs in Greenbrier County.

— E-mail:

cgiggenbach@register-herald.com