Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Election Follows Predictable Results

Election night '98 was one for the books.

There were few surprises, but one involved a justice of the peace race where the loser wasn't thrilled and challenged the outcome.

For the most part, though, there were few major contested local races, and even fewer changes in the balance of power.

Election fans filled the old Department of Human Services building, currently serving as the Clark County Courthouse, waiting for the results.

Many were on hand early and were forced to wait outside until someone with a key showed up to open the doors.

As has become a tradition, Sandy Huckabee, chairman of the Arkadelphia Republican Party, brought a large box of chocolate chip cookies for those waiting to devour as the results were counted.

By the time the doors were opened, the first boxes were already in, ready to be jogged for the AIS 115 tabulator.

Before anything else had happened, ABC and CNN declared Gov. Mike Huckabee and Blanche Lambert Lincoln winners in their respective races. This was just 10 minutes after the polls had closed.

Hal Bass, chairman of the Clark County Election Commission, read the results as they were tabulated. By the time the first five boxes were counted, the crowd began thinning out as most of the results were predictable.

Checking local results, Pamela D. King was uncontested in the General Election after defeating two opponents in the primary for the office of County Circuit and Chancery Clerk. She garnered 5,480 of the 6,457 votes cast.

For JP district 1, newcomer and Republican Jonathan B. Huber beat Roger Wingfield 301- 254. Following this pronouncement, Wingfield said a request for a recount would be forthcoming.

Dr. Chester V. Clark Jr. will be mayor of Amity. With three candidates, all independents, he received 117 votes, or 55.98 percent. Royce L. Hancock received 71 votes, with Alice R. Schweitzer getting 16.

For Amity City Alderman, position 3, Diane Owens beat Greg Henthorn 168-37.

In the race for Arkadelphia Board of Directors position 4, W.A. "Dub" Wingfield ousted Ann Sanders 1,620-1,043.

For post six, Ann Kelly earned 775 votes, while Alan Wright was next with 711. Andy Berry got 659 votes, with Dianne Hale getting 403.

Position seven saw Charles Hollingshead best James D. Nelson 1,576-899.

There will be a runoff held Nov. 17, for the position of Caddo Valley mayor. Willard E. Thomason received 98 votes, or 48.27 percent, with Howard Whittle getting 66, or 32.51. Ms. Jim Jameson got 35 ballots cast in her favor.

After much discussion and research, it was decided a runoff was required as there was no primary election for these independent candidates. This means Thomason and Whittle will continue their campaigning. It also is the only runoff to be held.

Bill Ratliff beat David Matthews 139-58 for the seat as Caddo Valley Alderman in ward 1.

Jeff Harrison will be the representative for Caddo Valley in ward 3, beating Rae Priest 105-87.

In ward 5, Wanda F. Francis, with 112 votes, beat Karen Roberson, who had 86 votes.

Rhonda Rutherford won the election for Caddo Valley Clerk Treasurer, beating Frances Troyer 127-71.

In Gum Springs, Don Green was the only candidate for mayor and received 49 votes.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith will retain his seat. As the lone candidate, Smith received 472 votes.

Joy McElhanon will be mayor of Okolona by receiving 42 votes as the only one running.

Arthur Cooper will remain mayor of Whelen Springs. He beat challenger Robert Schee 29-12.

For Whelen Springs alderman in ward 2, Odie Young bested James Sparks 30-10.

Position 3 in Whelen saw Gertrude Cooper whip Nikki Schee 30-11.

In position 4, Harold Gulledge beat Jerry Beck 31-9.

Statewide races on the local level saw Justice Donald Corbin route Judge Frank Arey for Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 2, 4,335-1,857,

In the race for U.S. Senate, Lincoln received 4,212 votes, with Sen. Fay Boozman getting 2,035. Reform candidate Charley Heffley had 107 ballots cast in his favor.

For U.S. Congress, district 4, incumbent Jay Dickey clipped Rep. Judy Smith 3,439- 2,852.

The governor's race saw Gov. Huckabee with 3,447 votes, while challenger Bill Bristow garnered 2,890. Reform candidate Keith Carle had 44 votes.

Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller captured his race for a second time by beating democratic challenger Kurt Dilday 3,787-2,512.

Mark Pryor easily overwhelmed Betty Dickey in the race for Arkansas Attorney General. Pryor received 4,254 votes to Dickey's 2,097.

Sharon Priest, incumbent Secretary of State, had little trouble with challenger Rose Bryant Jones, 5, 056-1,254.

Though losing statewide, proposed Amendment 1 won in Clark County 2,884-2,757. This amendment would have allowed cities and counties to enter short-term purchase agreements had it passed.

Amendment 2 also failed statewide, and was defeated in Clark County as well. This measure was beaten 3,719-2,131 in the county. It concerned allowing the General Assembly to pass a tax with 3/5 vote instead of 75 percent.

Proposed Amendment 3 passed in the county and state. It received 2,816 votes in favor across the county, while 2,690 voted against it. This issue will allow retired judges to be recalled into service and help speed up the judicial process.

Referred question 1, passed in the county and state as well. It garnered 3,056 votes, while 2,594 didn't like it.