STARKVILLE — There”ll be a new sheriff in Oktibbeha County next year.
Steve Gladney outlasted Dolph Bryan 2,753 votes to 2,322 in Tuesday”s Democratic primary runoff and will face lone Republican candidate Rudy Johnson in November.
Bryan, who has served as sheriff since 1976, held a 50-vote lead after results from the first three precincts were in but trailed the rest of the way. On Aug. 2, Bryan finished 700 votes ahead of Gladney, who edged Charlie Sanders by just 57 votes.
“I don”t have any hard feelings,” Bryan said, “Mr. Gladney was a good opponent. I”ll help him in the transition into my office. Anything I can do to help make it easier for him, I”ll be glad to do it. All I can say is I”ve always tried to be a gracious winner, so I certainly want to be a gracious loser.”
Gladney said he didn”t change his campaign strategy for the runoff, instead relying on his 30 years of service with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and relationships with people in the county to attract support. While with MHP, Gladney built relationships through his 16 years as travel security for Mississippi State University football.
“A lot of people know me and what I stand for,” Gladney said. “I didn”t really have a selling point other than my 30 years of law enforcement experience. People just bought into it.”
Bryan, who went through his second straight runoff, said he hadn”t given any thought to the 36 years he”s served as sheriff, but he”d like to see his staff continue with Gladney at the helm.
“I”ve had excellent, loyal employees,” Bryan said. “I certainly hope Mr. Gladney will keep some of these employees because they”re good men and women doing a good job. A lot of them have a lot of time invested in the sheriff”s office.
“As for me, I”ve got a lot more life to live. I”ll move on and find something else to do. Hopefully it”ll be in law enforcement.”
As a first-time candidate, Gladney admits running against Bryan was “daunting” at times.
“I knew Dolph would be extremely hard to beat,” Gladney said. “He hadn”t been sheriff here for 36 years for nothing. He”s done a great job. I just got out and did the best I could.
“I”m humbled and grateful for the show of support. Now I have to win another one.”
Williams slides by Young
While other runoffs were decided by the box ballots, District 5 supervisor candidates Joe L. Williams and John Young had to wait for absentee votes to be counted.
It was worth the wait for Williams, who earned 612 votes to Young”s 562 and will become the new District 5 supervisor in January. There is no Republican challenger.
“I”m very excited about the opportunity to represent District 5 and the county,” Williams said. “There”s some relief knowing that I have somewhat of a grace period to help me develop some ideas and look at some areas we can improve.”
Young, the incumbent, will finish his first and only term as a county supervisor.
Williams said residents in District 5 have voiced concerns over infrastructure and how their tax dollars are being used.
“There are people concerned about economic development, especially in the area of industrial development in an area that doesn”t require four years of education and/or training,” Williams said. “Of course, improving roads and building better bridges is a concern.”
In the race for the Democratic nomination for circuit clerk, Teresa Davis-Roberson cruised past Debra Prisock Wood, 2,710-2,186. Davis-Roberson will face Glenn Hamilton in November.
Velesia Wynn won the Democratic runoff for Tax Assessor/Collector, earning 2,566 votes to Deborah Carrithers” 2,354. Wynn will face Allen Morgan in November.
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