BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Republicans delivered several major upsets Tuesday night, unseating incumbents in the sheriff’s race and multiple county contests while returning other longtime officeholders to the ballot for November.
The night’s biggest shake-up came in the Republican primary for Martin County sheriff, where challenger William “Bill” Preece defeated incumbent Sheriff John Herman Kirk 1,171-930 in a five-candidate race. Tony Preece received 238 votes, while Kristopher Lang got 40 and Austin Harless finished with 13 votes.
Bill Preece will face Independent candidate Tyler Lafferty on the sheriff’s ballot in the county’s only contested race in the General Election this fall.
In the Republican primary for Martin County jailer, Buddy Stacy secured the nomination with 777 votes. Billy Patrick finished second with 621, followed by Nick Marcum with 581, Oscar Jude with 211 and Darrell Spence with 174.
Republican magistrate races produced a mix of incumbent victories and newcomer breakthroughs.
In District 1, incumbent Cody Slone defeated Matthew Baisden 457-163.
District 2 voters returned incumbent Kermit Howell to the ballot with a victory over Amanda Jude and Jason “Booger” Jude. Howell received 352 votes, while Amanda Jude earned 150 and Jason Jude 25.
One of the night’s other significant upsets came in District 3, where challenger Derrick Stepp defeated incumbent Tracy Spence and candidates Chris Blackburn and Craig Haney in the county’s largest magistrate field. Stepp received 232 votes to Spence’s 176. Blackburn received 87 votes and Haney finished with 79.
District 4 voters also ousted an incumbent, with challenger Eric Jude defeating incumbent Junior Hunt 243-186.
Constable races also drew strong voter turnout Tuesday.
In District 1, incumbent Homer “Pickle” Mills defeated Bobby Gene Maynard 330-186.
District 2 produced one of the closest races of the night, as challenger Ryan May narrowly defeated incumbent Randy Lafferty 252-249.
In District 4, incumbent Bradford Preece defeated Charles “Fettle” Spear 369-39.
No Republican magistrate race appeared on the ballot in District 5, and no constable races appeared in Districts 3 or 5.
Martin County voters also participated in statewide and federal primary contests Tuesday.
According to unofficial Martin County totals, Republican voters favored U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in the Republican U.S. Senate primary with 1,164 votes.
Longtime Congressman Hal Rogers led the Republican congressional field locally with 1,751 votes.
Democrat Amy McGrath led the Democratic U.S. Senate primary in Martin County with 55 votes.
