1998 Scott County Election
The 1998 Scott County General Election was held on Thursday, Aug. 6, 1998. Precincts included Fairview, Elgin, Robbins, Huntsville, Paint Rock, Helenwood, Pine Hill, Winfield, Capital Hill, Oneida and West Oneida.
Voter turnout was 66.3% — 8,205 of 12,374 registered voters participated.
County Executive
Former Scott County Executive Dwight Murphy defeated two-term incumbent Clarence “Denny” Lowe, 4,933 to 2,372. Murphy, an educator, business owner and former County Commissioner from Winfield, had previously won election as County Executive in 1982 and 1986. But Lowe had defeated him in the 1990 election.
In his return to politics, Murphy won every precinct, including the Fairview precinct where Lowe had done well in previous elections. Murphy was especially strong in his native Winfield, winning there by a vote tally of 481 to 36. He also did extremely well in Oneida, winning Oneida proper 346 to 145 and winning West Oneida 636 to 164.
Trustee
Former County Commissioner Jimmy D. Byrd won election to the Trustee’s office, defeating incumbent Sandra B. Phillips, who finished a distant fourth, and four others.
Phillips had narrowly defeated James E. “Jim” Posey in the 1990 election.
The vote breakdown:
• Jimmy D. Byrd – 1,796
• Steve D. Thompson – 1,615
• Charles Duvall – 1,565
• Sandra B. Phillips – 1,093
• James E. “Jim” Posey Sr. – 836
• Keith A. Jeffers – 529
Sheriff
First-term incumbent Jim Carson won re-election as sheriff with 5,875 votes. He handily defeated James Lee Claborn, who finished with 1,801 votes.
County Clerk
Patricia Hamby Phillips won election to the County Clerk’s office, a position she would hold for 20 years, with 4,932 votes. She defeated Curtis W. Thompson, who finished with 2,143 votes, and Charlene Terry, who finished with 382 votes.
Register of Deeds
Porter B. “Benjie” Rector Jr. won a third term in the Register of Deeds office with 4,687 votes. He easily defeated Wendell Cecil, who finished with 1,900 votes.
Road Superintendent
Incumbent Ray E. Hatfield won a second term as Road Superintendent with 3,833 votes. Former Road Superintendent J.D. “Headin” Lay saw his comeback attempt fall short, as he finished with 3,745 votes.
Uncontested Races
In uncontested races, incumbent General Sessions Judge James L. “Jamie” Cotton Jr. received 4,495 courtesy votes, incumbent Circuit Court Clerk Jan Burress received 4,227 courtesy votes, and County Attorney Mark Blakley received 3,932 courtesy votes.
Helenwood Referendum
A referendum for incorporation saw Helenwood residents widely approve incorporation, with 239 voting in favor of incorporation and only 45 voting against. However, the effort to incorporate was later overturned in court.
District Races
* Denotes incumbent
1st District County Commission
Michael E. Silcox, 408
James “Jeff” Watson*, 354
Odeva Byrd, 346
Arnold Crowley*, 301
Donald Chambers, 181
Bradford Lowe, 150
Aimee J. Miller, 89
1st District School Board
Beverly Ann Washam, 471
Dillard “Hacksaw” Massengale, 398
Benny Lawson, 235
2nd District County Commission
Jack Sexton*, 507
Leonard Bertram*, 493
Diane Chambers Smith, 408
3rd District County Commission
Ronald E. “Ronnie” Ellis, 508
Ernest Phillips*, 440
Tommy Joel Newport*, 439
VeRhonda Hembree Wilson, 360
Jessie P. Crowley, 39
4th District County Commission
Ricky A. Keeton, 481
Rick Russ, 358
McKinley “Benny” Zachary*, 325
Dennis Lee Sexton, 318
Jerry Wade Byrge, 49
4th District School Board
James D. Sexton, 429
4th District Constable
Curtis Crabtree, 533
5th District County Commission
Rothel “Tub” Cross, 585
Roger Bridges, 484
Jim McCarroll*, 382
Eugene Chambers, 244
Jimmy “Jim” Chambers, 125
5th District School Board
David Marlar*, 578
Tom Stephens, 447
6th District County Commission
Ronnie “Ron” Blevins, 526
Hertis Phillips*, 356
Hollis Carson*, 340
7th District County Commission
Mike Slaven*, 839
Rick L. Burke*, 797
Jackie B. Jordan, 323
7th District School Board
Scott Burchfield, 769
Bill Jeffers, 287
Leonard S. Murphy, 249
Oneida School Board
Scott Thompson, 540
Steve Phillips, 529
Brom Shoemaker, 514