Published: May 14, 2008 01:49 am         

Newcomer takes race for commission

By Mary Catherine Brooks

Wyoming County Bureau Chief

PINEVILLE — Many of the Wyoming County races were close throughout the evening Tuesday, while others seemed to fall into an enduring trend.

With all of the precincts counted, newcomer Jason Mullins had upset longtime Commissioner Harold Hayden in his bid to keep his seat.

Mullins took a commanding early lead and held it throughout the evening, finishing with 3,534 votes to Hayden’s 2,475.

“I just want to thank everyone who supported me over the last few months,” Mullins said. “I look forward to getting started. I plan to work hard.”

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Incumbent Mike Burdiss was unseated in for the 22nd District House of Delegates seat, a district that encompasses all of Wyoming County and six pre-cincts in McDowell County and eight in Mercer.

Linda Goode Phillips and Daniel J. Hall took the two nominations. Goode had 3,614 votes; Hall garnered 2,288.

Bruce Williams was third with 2,101; Burdiss had 1,997; Morgan “Mike” Davis, 1,868; and Marty Ashley, 907.

There were no Republicans running.

“I’m humbled and so thrilled that the voters of District 22 have confidence in me,” Phillips said. “I will work to repay them.”

Phillips will become only the second woman to hold the post.

“Mae Belcher was the first and that’s some big shoes to fill,” Phillips said.

“We’ve had some excellent candidates in this race, who’ve worked extremely hard,” Williams emphasized.

“I’ve been surprised in several elections, so who knows what will happen. It’s been a great experience. I’ve worked hard and did my best.”

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The sheriff’s race pitted three candidates: current Chief Deputy Randall Aliff, former magistrate Wilburn Bolt and Thomas Wilson.

Bolt took the early lead, but Aliff pulled ahead, then held it for a 3,263 to 2,472 win. Wilson pulled in 450 votes.

“I’m very humbled by this,” Aliff said. “I’m just tickled to death with the trust the citizens seem to have in us at the sheriff’s department.

“I’ll certainly do my best and continue to work on these drug problems,” Aliff said.

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One of the closest races was for the assessor’s seat now held by Mike W. Cook. The challengers, Mike E. Cook and Earl Mongeni, battled with the incumbent throughout the evening. At one time or other through the evening, each one held the lead for a time.

With all precincts reporting, Mike E. Cook held on for the win.

“Out of the 107 days available since January, I’ve campaigned every day,” Mike E. Cook said. “I’ve been in every part of the county and met a lot of nice people. I’ve remained firm and clean, and whatever happens happens.”

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Another neck-and-neck race was for the three magistrate seats. Kim Farmer pulled out the top votes and incumbent Craig Cook was second. Third place was held by incumbent J.R. Boles, closely followed by Tommy Daniels, then David Kidd, Pamela England Trent and Michael Lawson.

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Warren McGraw held the lead for circuit judge throughout the evening against current Prosecutor Todd Houck.

Rick Staton took the most votes for the prosecutor’s seat, followed by political newcomer D.J. Morgan and Sonny Boninsegna Jr. The race had gone back and forth among the candidates throughout the evening.

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In the nonpartisan board of education race, incumbent Mike Prichard held the lead, followed by incumbents Robert Toler and Perry Cook, with newcomer Curtis Lovejoy trailing slightly. In early returns, Lovejoy had enough votes for one of the three seats, though that changed as the evening progressed.

“I’m thankful the voters had enough confidence in me to let me continue,” Prichard said. “I’ll continue to do my best as I’ve done in the past.”

— E-mail: mcbrooks@register-herald.com