Anthony Cloud
and Chase Smith
Staff Writers
After months of campaigning, highly contested races in Bell County including the 87th District Representative race and the Middlesboro School Board race have ended.
Incumbent Rick Nelson was the unofficial winner of the representative race, beating out challenger Josh Howard. Nelson received a total of 6,452 votes in Bell County, while Howard received 2,823.
Nelson said he really appreciates the confidence the voters have in him.
As for the future, Nelson said the county still has issues with some waterlines and road projects that will be announced soon.
“We are trying to help our citizens,” said Nelson.
Nelson said it was a tough year to run in, but he feels good the people still voted for him.
“I know a lot of people voted for (Mitt) Romney and (Hal) Rogers and then a lot switched over and voted for me. They didn’t have to do that, but they had confidence in me… and wanted to keep me,” said Nelson. “I really appreciate that.”
The Middlesboro School Board received new members as a result of the election.
Jeff Greene, Jimmie Joyce “JJ” Jones and Charlotte G. Webb won the race, defeating incumbents Edith “Edie” Kelley, Vicki M. Byrne and Kelly Shoffner.
Webb received the most votes with 1,522. Greene received 1,384 and Jones received 1,304 votes.
Shoffner received 1,161 votes. Kelley received 1,202 votes. Byrne received 916 votes. Josh B. Greene received a total of 424 votes.
In the Pineville School Board race, Clark Jones and Ann Combs were elected to the board. Jones received 318 votes, while Combs received 417. The two beat Dustin Sams, who received 249 votes.
In the 3rd Educational District, Brent Pursifull beat Jody Risner. Pursifull received 1,031 votes while Risner received 488 votes.
Hal Rogers carried Bell County in the election with 7,285, beating out challenger Kenneth S. Stepp who received 1,532 votes.
Karen Greene Blondell and Colby Slusher were unopposed in 44th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney and Circuit Clerk race, respectively. Eulene Brock and Dean Knuckles were both unopposed in the 4th and 5th Educational Districts.
All nine members of the Middlesboro City Council were unopposed. The individuals elected to the council were Clarence Bo Green, Ronnie Carter, Harold “Doc” Massengill, Philip Ball, Kevin Barnett, Lucas Carter, Gary Mills, Alan Farmer and Doug Hughes.
All six members running for the Pineville City Council were also unopposed. The individuals elected to the council were: Bruce Nunn, Terry D. Pannell, Bo Bush, Gary “Tuck” Woolum, Pat Bingham and Billy Robbins.
Bell County overwhelming approved the constitutional amendment that was on the ballot involving hunting, fishing and gaming. There were 6,774 voters who voted yes, while only 864 voted no.
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan carried Bell County with 7,127 votes. Barack Obama and Joe Biden received 2,224 votes.
Anthony Cloud and Chase Smith are staff writers for the Middlesboro Daily News. Anthony Cloud can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com or by phone at 606-248-1010, ext. 208. Chase Smith can be contacted via email at ksmith@heartlandpublications.com.
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