2002 Scott County Election
The 2002 Scott County General Election was held on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002. It featured re-election wins by County Executive Dwight Murphy and Sheriff Jim Carson. Precincts included Fairview, Elgin, Robbins, Huntsville, Paint Rock, Helenwood, Pine Hill, Winfield, Oneida and West Oneida.
Voter turnout was 63.1% — 7,880 of 12,497 registered voters participated.
County Executive
Dwight Murphy won re-election with 2,790 votes, defeating Leif Ericson Jeffers, who finished with 2,019. Former Superintendent of Schools Jerry W. Thompson finished with 1,996 votes, while Oneida businessman Harold Brooks finished with 624 votes and Oneida businessman Caswell Huff finished with 177 votes.
Trustee
Jimmy D. Byrd, the Robbins man who first won election as Trustee in the 1998 election, defeating Oneida’s Nick Manis to win re-election, 4,539 to 2,853
Sheriff
In an unopposed race, incumbent Sheriff Jim Carson won a third term with 6,297 courtesy votes.
Circuit Court Clerk
In an unopposed race, incumbent Jan Burress won re-election with 6,236 courtesy votes.
County Clerk
In an unopposed race, incumbent Pat Phillips won re-election with 6,237 courtesy votes.
County Attorney
John A. Beaty defeated incumbent Mark E. Blakley for County Attorney, winning 4,179 to 3,151.
Register of Deeds
Incumbent Register of Deeds Porter B. “Benjie” Rector Jr. won re-election with 5,236 votes, defeating Chuck Byrge, who finished with 2,071 votes.
Road Superintendent
The race for Road Superintendent featured two candidates who had squared off every election since 1986: incumbent Ray Hatfield and former Road Superintendent J.D. “Headin” Lay. But this time around, a newcomer would be elected to the office. Donald “Dick” Sexton finished with 2,303 votes. TDOT supervisor Marvin Miller finished second with 2,087 votes. Lay finished third with 1,76 votes. Hatfield finished fourth with 1,472 votes.
District Races
* Denotes incumbent
1st District County Commission
Odeva Byrd, 565
James “Jeff” Watson*, 445
James “Festus” Day, 354
Loy Hatfield, 247
John Lee Murley, 230
Donald Chambers, 80
Patsy Hatfield, 80
Robert “Speedy” Blevins, 43
1st District School Board
Brian Strunk, 723
Beverly Ann Washam*, 492
2nd District County Commission
Leonard M. Bertram*, 360
Jack Sexton, 331
Ulyous M. Hamby, 276
Diane Chambers Smith, 239
Jim Reed, 181
Ronald D. Jones, 178
Joseph R. Lowe, 105
Rebecca R. Foster, 35
3rd District County Commission
Ernest Phillips*, 563
Daniel W. Murley, 402
Charles E. “Buster” Sexton, 291
Kenneth R. Morrow, 228
Greg Burchfield, 133
3rd District Constable
Teddy King, 339
Jay Crowley, 231
Jimmy “Jimbo” Riseden, 138
David Harness, 121
4th District County Commission
Ricky A. Keeton*, 390
Rick Russ*, 362
Dennis Lee Sexton, 350
Curtis Crabtree, 217
Lonnie C. Ellis, 155
George “Abe” Baker, 124
4th District School Board
James D. Sexton*, 336
Karen C. Ellis, 286
Johnny C. Grooms, 272
5th District County Commission
Rothel “Tub” Cross*, 603
Harold L. Chambers, 457
Roger Bridges*, 407
Jim McCarroll, 329
5th District School Board
David Marlar*, 528
Paul Stanley, 501
6th District County Commission
Ronnie “Ron” Blevins*, 632
Hertis Phillips*, 431
Brian Boyatt, 401
7th District County Commission
Rick L. Burke*, 810
Mike Slaven*, 802
Richard B. Slaven, 399
7th District School Board
Rodney West, 693
Scott Burchfield*, 498
Oneida School Board
Scott Thompson, 580
Steven A. Phillips, 575
Brom Shoemaker, 562