David and Susan Hampton, of Corbin, took time away from gardening Tuesday to vote in Kentucky’s Primary Election.
Whitley County voters went to the polls in low numbers Tuesday to cast their ballots for governor and a handful of other statewide contested primary races.
Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz said that 3,498 voters went to the polls Tuesday or about 13.2 percent of registered voters in Whitley County compared with 11 percent four years ago in the governor’s primary race.
"There are 26,471 registered voters in Whitley County. For less than 3,500 to come out and vote in a governor’s race is disappointing, but I would like to thank my election officers and my staff for the good job that they have done," Schwartz noted.
Schwartz said that there were no mechanical failures or other such problems Tuesday.
"It was a very smooth election," she added.
In the Republican primary for governor, Whitley County voters gave the edge to incumbent Agriculture Commission James "Jamie" Comer, who garnered 1,461 votes in Whitley County to 815 votes for Hal Heiner, 644 votes for Matt Bevin and 193 votes for Will T. Scott.
with 309 votes to 56 votes for his challenger, Geoffrey "Geoff" Young.
In the Republican primary for attorney general, Whitley County voters gave the nod to Whitney Westerfield, who received 1,467 votes to Michael T. Hogan’s 1,201 votes.
Whitley County Republicans cast 1,493 votes for Richard Heath in the primary for agriculture commissioner, and 1,253 votes for Ryan Quarles.
In the battle for state treasurer, 1,191 Whitley County voters cast ballots for Allison Ball, compared to 800 votes for Jon Larson, and 625 votes for Kenneth Churchill Imes.
On the Democratic side of the ballot, incumbent Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes overcame token opposition from Charles Lovett to win the nomination in her race. Grimes received 279 votes in Whitley County to Lovett’s 84 votes.
Among the five candidates for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer, Rick Nelson won the support of Whitley County voters receiving 110 votes. Neville Blakemore received 77 votes, followed by Richard Henderson with 60 votes, Jim Glenn with 46 votes and Daniel B. Grossberg with 26 votes.
