2018 Scott County Election
The 2018 Scott County General Election was held on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018. The election saw Jeff Tibbals return as County Mayor after defeating incumbent Dale Perdue, while newcomers won the offices of County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Voter turnout was 53.9% — 7,363 of 13,674 registered voters participated.
County Mayor
In a five-way race, Jeff Tibbals defeated incumbent Dale Perdue and challenger Rick Russ. Perdue had defeated Tibbals in the 2014 election. Russ was a County Commissioner in the 4th District (Helenwood). Also running were Harold Brooks and Michael Lloyd.
Perdue won precincts in Fairview, Elgin, Robbins and Huntsville. However, Tibbals won the remaining precincts, and scored overwhelming wins in Oneida and West Oneida.
The final vote tally saw Tibbals collect 2,753 votes to 2,229 for Perdue, 1,201 for Russ, 799 for Lloyd and 270 for Brooks.
Sheriff
Incumbent Ronnie Phillips was facing a write-in challenge from former sheriff Anthony Lay. Lay’s name was not on the ballot after the Tennessee P.O.S.T. Commission determined that he had not established a Scott County residency in sufficient time.
Phillips finished with 5,397 votes to 1,587 write-in votes.
County Clerk
In a six-way race to replace retiring County Clerk Pat Phillips, Felicia Bilbrey received 2,286 votes, narrowly defeating Christin Neal, who had 2,054 votes.
Bilbrey was Phillips’ niece and was endorsed by Phillips.
Also running were Pat Massengale, who received 1,034 votes; Mark Matthews, who received 914 votes; Sandi Chambers, who received 473 votes; and Peggy Duncan, who received 349 votes.
Neal won precincts in Robbins, Huntsville and Paint Rock. Bilbrey won all other precincts.
Register of Deeds
In a five-way race, deputy Register of Deeds Ashley Riseden won election to the office to replace Porter B. “Benjie” Rector Jr. She was an employee of the office and was endorsed by Rector.
Riseden received 3,867 votes and won every precinct. Her nearest challenger was Kevin Bilbrey, with 1,655 votes. Stuart Jones received 910 votes, Mary Hall received 498 votes, and Chris Wilson received 199 votes.
Road Superintendent
Incumbent Kelvin King narrowly survived a challenge from Dale Boyatt. The final vote tally was 3,610 for King and 3,492 for Boyatt. Boyatt scored a big win in West Oneida, his home precinct, with an edge of 808 to 437. He also won precincts in Elgin, Robbins, Paint Rock and Pine Hill. However, King had a big win in his home of Winfield, with a 444 to 184 advantage. He also won precincts in Fairview, Huntsville, Helenwood and Oneida.
Trustee
Incumbent Jimmy D. Byrd was unopposed and received 6,038 courtesy votes.
Circuit Court Clerk
Incumbent Donnie Phillips was unopposed and received 6,001 courtesy votes.
County Attorney
Incumbent John Beaty was unopposed and received 5,750 courtesy votes.
District Races
1st District: Incumbent County Commissioners Blue Day and David Jeffers were re-elected with 482 and 370 votes, respectively. Challengers included Jacob Hughett with 309 votes, Jason Jeffers with 292 votes, Randall Hamilton with 206 votes, Ledford Harness with 124 votes, and Speedy Blevins with 65 votes. In the school board race, Tommy Silcox was unopposed and received 827 courtesy votes.
2nd District: Jerried Jeffers received 447 votes, while incumbent Sam Lyles received 242 votes. Jeffers was running in his mother’s stead. June Jeffers had been the first woman elected to County Commission in 2010. Also running were former commissioner Leonard Bertram with 215 votes, Jennifer Dishman with 213 votes, Don Tyndall with 141 votes and David Woodard with 88 votes.
3rd District: Incumbents Sheila Buttram and Kenny Morrow were unopposed and received 613 and 548 votes, respectively.
4th District: Shonda Gray received 507 votes, while incumbent Kenny Chadwell received 478 votes. Incumbent Rick Russ did not run for re-election. Also running were Fred Phillips with 236 votes and Bud Lackey with 187 votes. In the school board race, incumbent Kimberly Kidd defeated Johnny Russ by a tally of 716 to 238.
5th District: Harold Chambers and Paul Strunk received 649 votes and 611 votes, respectively. Also running was Joe Tramell Jr., with 198 votes. In the school board race, Esther Abbott defeated Jim McCarroll by a tally of 536 to 412.
6th District: Incumbents Patti Brown and Donnie Bowlin were unopposed and received 514 votes and 498 votes, respectively.
7th District: Incumbent Mike Slaven received 717 votes and Benny Carson received 677 votes. Former commissioner Rick Burke received 589 votes, and Michael Knight received 168 votes. In the school board race, Derek Sexton defeated Sharon Marcum by a tally of 704 to 572.
OSSD: In the Oneida Special School District, Sandy Martin was the top vote-getter with 530 votes, while incumbent Dorothy Watson received 455 votes and Jason Perry received 343 votes. Incumbent Brom Shoemaker and challenge Shonda Duncan also ran.