Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smith Reelected; Runoff Needed In Judges Race

Rick Smith retained his position as mayor of Gurdon.

In Tuesday's Primary Election, Smith beat his opponent Danny Paull 345 to 205 with 63 percent of the vote.

On the other hand, incumbent Clark County Judge Grady Runyan wound up second in a three man race, trailing Floyd "Buddy" Manning in the election. Ron Daniell was eliminated with his third place showing.

And, in an interesting turn of events, Pam King posted an overwhelming win for Clark County Circuit Clerk despite having two opponents.

The final numbers in some cases were surprising. In the county judge's race, Manning garnered 1,562 votes, or 34.63 percent, with Runyan earning 1,471 ballots, or 33 percent. Daniell received 1,464 votes, or 32 percent of the ballots cast.

In the mayor's race in Gurdon, Smith received 349 votes, or 63 percent, while Paull had 205, or 37 percent.

For the Circuit Clerk's race, King blew the field away with 2,599 votes, or 57.59 percent of the votes, while Wonda Clark received 1,290 ballots, 28.96 percent, and Linda Hill had 592 votes, 13.44 percent.

The race for U.S. Senate saw Blanche Lambert Lincoln post a win with 1,817 votes, with Attorney General Winston Bryant next with 1,582 votes. Nate Coulter finished third with 584 ballots, and Rep. Scott Ferguson, MD., had 584 votes in his favor.

Orville Buck, in the race for Justice of the Peace for District 8, led most of the way, but came up one vote short in the final tally, as Billy Kirksey edges him out 251 to 250.

Larry Thomerson posted an easy victory in his race for JP district 10 by a margin of 490- 59.

The Republican races saw Gov. Mike Huckabee blow Gene McVay out of the water 139- 2, while Sen. Fay Boozman whipped Tom Prince 99-34 for the U.S. Senate spot.

Candidates gathered at the old Department of Human Services building for the election results. The building was packed to the point of standing room only, with people talking, joking and having a good time.

Early on, the candidates on hand seemed to be relaxed and ready to learn their collective fate.

Rep. Percy Malone, who ran unopposed, joked he may be able to eke out a victory.

As the results became available, Clark County Election Commission Chairman Hal Bass read them to the joy and consternation of the candidates.

Smith said he appreciates every vote received and thanks those who supported him during his bid for reelection.

He also credited his opponent for running a clean race adding, he was glad someone else also wanted the job as mayor.

Manning was elated and speechless, unable to talk much after learning the results. "I appreciate the turnout," he said. "It was more than was predicted. I hope they all come back in two weeks (for the runoff election)."

Runyan said it's been a tough campaign, as he's also had to do the job as county judge.

"The next two weeks will be the same," he said. "I'll have to go out at night and campaign and this is the season we need to be working on the roads.

"I've led Clark County through two tornadoes and the worst time in county history and the people have stood by me. There's a lot of good people in Clark County."

Runyan called Manning a fine person and was glad the race to date has been a clean one. He said the race will continue to be clean as both candidates are running for the office.

"I'll ask for the people's support when running the next two weeks. Now, I need some rest. There are a lot of projects going on in the county underway and Clark County deserves a judge who will work."

Runyan urged the voters to return to the polls on Tuesday, June 9, to cast their ballots in the runoff election.

King was shocked at winning the race outright against two other opponents.

"I wanted to win," she said, "and had that intention. I thought it was possible if I worked hard enough, but there were people who said it couldn't be done with three people in the race. I'm elated; speechless."

King began running for the office on Jan. 18, and didn't stop campaigning until May 18. "It paid off," she said.

"I'm grateful to the people of Clark County for having faith in me and showing it at the polls. I'm thankful for my family who taught me to always give 110 percent.

"I look forward to serving the people of Clark County. This is a dream come true. I will give them 110 percent."

Looking at the results in a box by box breakdown, beginning with the absentee ballots, the race for Senate shows Lincoln with 24 votes; Bryant with 23; Coulter with 9; and Ferguson with 13.

The clerk's race saw Hill with 13 votes; King with 31; and Clark with 26.

Daniell won the absentee box with 26 votes, while Manning received 23 and Runyan had 21.

For JP district 8, Kirksey posted a 7-2 result.

For JP district 10, Thomerson received all four votes cast.

Smith had a 5-3 edge in the mayor's race.

For the GOP races, Prince and Boozman each had two votes for Senate, while Huckabee held a 4-0 lead for governor.

There was a problem in JP district 6 causing the ballots to be counted by hand.

The results showed Lincoln with 82 votes in the Senate race, while Bryant received 42, Coulter had 32 and Ferguson got 30.

For circuit clerk, King had 127 votes, Clark got 47 and Hill earned 15.

For judge, Runyan had 77 votes, Manning received 70 ballots, with Daniell getting 42.

For JP district 8, Buck had 22 votes, to Kirksey's 9.

The GOP races showed Boozman getting four votes while Prince got two. Huckabee had a 6-0 lead over McVay.

The Alpine box showed Lambert with 46 votes for Senate, with Bryant getting 39, Coulter had 12 and Ferguson received 9.

King dominated the clerk's race with 74 votes, with Clark getting 26 and Hill getting 8.

For judge, Runyan won the box with 61 ballots, while Manning got 26 and Daniell received 21.

For JP district 8, Kirksey took the box 66-41.

In the Amity City box, Lincoln won it with 54 votes. Bryant had 28, Ferguson, 9, and Coulter, 8.

King took the box with 78 votes, with Clark getting 21 and Hill getting 2.

Daniell won the box for judge with 45 votes. Manning got 29 and Runyan had 29.

The JP race for district 8 saw Kirksey with 63 votes to Buck's 38.

For Amity 1,2,3, Bryant won the Senate box with 39 votes, to Lincoln's 32. Coulter and Ferguson each had five.

King took this box as well with 36 votes. Clark had 28 and Hill received 15.

For judge, Runyan won the box with 41 ballots, Daniell had 29 and Manning 10.

The JP race for district 8 saw Kirksey win 48-29.

There were three races on the ballot for Beirne. In the Senate contest, Bryant had eight votes, Lincoln received 7, Ferguson had 5 and Coulter got 4.

King recei