Republicans sweep local elections

Republican candidates swept Coffee County elections Tuesday night, winning every single race on the ballot and most by wide margins. The first numbers that came in were from early voting; in those initial results, GOP candidates established a sizeable lead that only grew as more precincts reported. By the time the final numbers came in, most Republicans held two-to-one margins over their Democratic opponents.

Locally, Dominic LaRiccia defeated Larry NeSmith 4,869 to 2,142 in the race for the state House of Representatives District 169 seat. LaRiccia also carried Jeff Davis and Bacon counties. Incumbent Katy Peters and challenger Mike Gowen faced off for the office of Solicitor General; Peters won 5,277 to 3,016. In the bid for County Commission District 3, A.J. Dovers bested Donna Simpson 1,488 to 329.

Incumbent John Barrow faced stiff opposition from challenger Rick Allen as the two squared off for the U.S. House of Representatives District 12 post. Allen handily defeated Barrow 5,093 to 3,125. With about half of precincts throughout the district reporting at the time this story was written, Allen held a sizeable lead. Coffee County voters also gave their stamp of approval to both constitutional amendments and the referendum question.

A total of 8,487 voters cast their ballots out of 18,848 registered voters.