Doug Roper Becomes Vidalia’s New Mayor

Two Women Win Montgomery Seats, Sheriff Rigdon Retains Post in Wheeler

While the path to the White House has been contentious and two of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats remain in limbo until January, the November 3 balloting for area posts was more decisive. Unofficial results were posted Monday morning on the Georgia Secretary of State’s web site and are reported below. In the nonpartisan race for Mayor of Vidalia, Doug Roper edged continued from page

out opponent Gregory Johnson. Roper, a former member of the Vidalia City Schools Board of Education, garnered 2,260 votes for 53.13% of the total. Johnson, a former Vidalia City Councilman, won 1,994 votes for 46.87% of the total. Montgomery County residents who live inside the Vidalia city limits were also eligible to cast votes for Vidalia mayor. In this contest, Roper earned 77 votes, 81.05% of the total, and challenger Johnson received 18 votes, 18.95% of the total. The two men competed for the seat left vacant by the death in April of Mayor Ronnie Dixon. An election for Johnson’s unexpired term will be held next March.

Incumbent Toombs County Commissioner Wendell Dixon, a Republican, held onto his District 2 seat with 2,365 votes, 76.71% of the total. His challenger, retired physician Samuel Rayapati, a Democrat, received 718 votes, 23.29% of the total.

In Montgomery County, career educator Ginger Byrd Morris, a Republican, will be joining the Montgomery County Commission in January as its only female member. She received 613 votes, 53.35% of the total. Her challenger, professional counselor Thaddeus Holloway, a Democrat, received 536 votes, 46.65% of the total. In the race for Montgomery County coroner, Laurie Holland, a Republican, won 2,872 votes, 75.16% of the total. Her opponent, Andrea Margie Bell, a Democrat, received 949 votes, 24.84% of the total. Montgomery voters also voted in favor of a proposal for Sunday package sales. Of the total votes cast, 2,313 citizens, 61.09%, voted yes, while 1,473 voters, 38.91%, rejected the proposal.

Wheeler County Sheriff Randy Rigdon, a Republican, won reelection to his post with 1,481 votes, 65.79%. His opponent, career lawman E.J. Bess, a Democrat, garnered 770 votes, 34.21%. This race was hotly contested with three Democrats throwing their hats into the ring in primary balloting in August. Rigdon was the only Republican seeking the post.

In the race for coroner, incumbent Ted Mercer, a Republican, retained his seat with 1,560 ballots, 69.33%, cast in his favor. His opponent, clergyman and funeral home owner the Rev. Dr. Marvin Howard, a Democrat, achieved 690 votes, 30.67% of the total. In the battle for a post on Alamo City Council left vacant with the resignation of Tommy Spell, four candidates faced off. Patricia Woodard, a property manager who had served in an interim capacity on the council in the past, won election to the nonpartisan seat with 140 votes, 41.30% of the total. Businesswoman Phyllis Adams garnered 122 votes for 35.99% of the total. Wheeler County School System employee Leigh Ricks earned 53 votes, 15.63% of the votes cast, while businessman Stephen Keen earned 24 votes, 7.08% of the total.

Area voting officials reported steady to heavy early voting, and strong, consistent voting on Election Day. In Toombs County, President Trump easily carried the county with 72.13% of the votes cast. Also garnering a majority of the votes was incumbent Senator David Perdue, a Republican, with 72.17% of the total, and incumbent Congressman Rick Allen, a Republican, with 74.20% of the total. Former U.S. Representative Doug Collins, a Republican, earned 32.89% of the total votes cast in the bid for the seat of retired Senator Johnny Isakson, but Republican challenger Kelly Loeffler, who is serving in an interim capacity in this post, was close behind with 32.45% of the votes cast in Toombs County. Challenger the Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, received 16.52% of the ballots cast.

In Montgomery County, President Donald Trump earned 74.68% of the votes cast, Senator Perdue received 74.72% of the total, and Representative Allen won 76.65% of the total. Loeffler barely beat out Collins, 34.72% to 33.02%, while Warnock received 15.10% of the votes in this race.

In Wheeler County, President Trump earned 69.31% of the votes cast, Perdue won 69.33% of the total, Allen earned 70.31% of the total, and Collins slightly edged out Loeffler, 31.16% to 30.89%. Warnock earned 20.61% of the total in this race.