Harper, Cline claim wins in Tipton County

By MEGHAN DURBAK
Tribune staff writer

May 07, 2008 12:08 am

— TIPTON — Tipton County voters had numerous candidates to choose from Tuesday night, from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
In the November election, many candidates said they will be addressing the need for jobs, the $530 million Getrag project, infrastructure and address whatever changes the state legislators pass concerning property taxes.
On the Republican ballot, Jane Harper defeated Jim Ashley in Commissioner District 2, 1,147 votes to 940, in a 54 percent-to-45 percent lead. Mike Cline won by 60 percent of the vote over candidates Jim Leffler and Dan Phenicie.
Cline led the race with 1,238 votes, compared to the 454 votes Leffler received and the 355 votes that went to Phenicie.
Harper does not have a Democratic challenger in the November election, though the party still has time to find a contender.
“I just am really looking forward to November and hope I’ll have continued support throughout the general election,” she said.
Representing Republicans in the Third District, Cline said he will focus on spending county dollars wisely and ensuring that procedures are followed during decision making.
In the fall, he will face Democratic nominee Matt Gall, who defeated Russell Riddle, 58 percent to 41 percent of the ballot. Gall received 1,520 votes. Riddle received 1,085.
“It’s just a start of my campaigning,” Gall said, pledging to “do whatever is best for the taxpayers of Tipton County.”
For the Republican county council race, voters chose to back incumbents Brad Nichols, Vickey McCorkle and Scott Friend. Nichols led the Republican race with 24 percent of the ballot, or 1,392 votes. McCorkle followed with 988 votes and Friend received 961.
The Democratic county council race was won by Tom Dolezal, Monica McTaggart and Rick Sottong. Sottong led Democratic candidates with 1,724 votes.
Dolezal received 1,614 votes and McTaggart followed with 1,188 votes.
More than 42 percent of registered voters in Tipton County went to the polls Tuesday.
“We’ve had a real good turnout,” said Tipton County Clerk Bonita Guffey.

Republicans

President
Mike Huckabee 260
John McCain 1,603
Ron Paul 165
Mitt Romney 66
U.S. Representative District 5
Clayton L. Alfred 66
Dan Burton 1,423
John McGoff 666
State Senate District 20
Ken Geesaman 90
Howard Luke Kenley 309
Commissioner District 2
Jim Ashley 940
Jane Harper 1,147
Commissioner District 3
Mike Cline 1,238
Jim Leffler 454
Dan Phenicie 355
Council, at-large (top three)
Edward Cage 752
Scott Friend 961
Jeff Hoover 751
Vickey McCorkle 988
Brad Nichols 1,392
Bridget Perkins 397
John Reid 515

Democrats

President
Hillary Clinton 1,848
Barack Obama 1,324
Governor
Jim Schellinger 1,782
Jill Long Thompson 1,185
Representative District 5
Chester Kelsey 732
Mary Etta Ruley 1,037
Kenny Stall 728
Commissioner District 3
Matthew Gall 1,520
Russell Riddle 1,085
Council at-large (top three)
Tom Dolezal 1,614
Robert Edinger 515
Ted Ehman 1,149
Monica McTaggart 1,188
Rick Sottong 1,724
Don Whicker Jr. 1,028