The Republican tide turned out in Washington County – casting 68 percent of the early vote and 60 percent of the Nov. 4 votes in 21 precincts across the county.
According to Washington County Clerk Shirley Batt, about 38 percent of total voters turned out for the mid-term election.
Contested races in Washington County found all but one Republican winning – that was Sheriff Candidate Democrat Roger Newlon.
In the County Auditor Race, Republican Randy Bills captured 3,406 of the vote or 46.92 percent, defeating current Sheriff Claude Combs, who took 3329 votes. Only 77 separated them.
Republican Kyra Stephenson ran unopposed for the County Recorder position she currently holds and received 5,555 votes.
In the Sheriff race, former City of Salem officer Roy Overshiner took 2,927 votes or 39.94 percent compared to Newlon’s 4,111 votes (56.10 percent) Libertarian candidate Max Greene received 290 votes.
Republican County Assessor Jason Cockerill was unopposed and received 5,485 votes.
In the close bid for County Commissioner District 2, Republican Preston Shell defeated Democrat Tom Day by a close margin – 3,931 to 3,285.
Republican incumbent Ben Bowling defeated Democrat newcomer Jody Smedley 1,187 to 610 to keep his seat as the County Council District 1 member.
Republican Incumbent John Revels kept his County Council District 2 seat, defeating Democrat Theresa Pittman, 992 to 755.
Voters returned Republican incumbent David Hoar to the County Council District 3 seat and defeated Libertarian Rhonda Greene, 1347 to 501.
Republican Frank Nobles was voted into the County Council District 4 slot with 982 votes over Democrat candidate Karen Wischmeier, who earned 609 votes.
