Twenty years ago, DeKalb County was known as a Democratic stronghold. At a time when Republicans held only one office with maybe one or two commissioners in the mix, it would have been unthinkable that the GOP would sweep county seats in an election. Fast-forward to 2022 and that is exactly what has happened. Republicans have taken every county seat, with only a few Democratic commissioners elected.

It was a tidal wave for Republicans last Thursday evening as voters headed to the polls for the DeKalb General Election and Republican and Democratic State Primaries. It seems as if voters kept to party lines with their votes, marking the first time in county history the GOP will hold all county seats and a majority of county commissioner positions.

A total of 4,794 voters participated in the August election, with a turnout of 37.14 percent of the 12,909 registered voters in the area. According to the DeKalb Elections office, 2,357 took part in walk-in/early voting, 223 voted absentee, and 2,214 voted on Election Day.

Among the big winners last Thursday was County Mayor Elect Matt Adcock, who came out on top over former three-term County Mayor Mike Foster. Foster had defeated incumbent two-term Mayor Tim Stribling in the Democratic Primary in May. Adcock, who currently serves as 6th District County Commissioner, received 57.03 percent of the vote with 2,597, while Foster received 1,952 votes or 42.86 percent. Adcock carried all precincts except Snow Hill where he lost 63 to 61 and he had a majority of the early votes and absentees.

Republican Brandon Cox defeated Democrat Tecia Puckett Pryor for General Sessions Court Judge, 3,103 to 1,425. Current judge, Judge Bratten Cook, II, a 24-year three-term veteran of the office decided not to seek another term this election. Cox carried all precincts and had a majority of the early votes and absentees.

The battle over retiring Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen’s seat also went to a Republican, Daniel Seber.  He defeated Democrat Shelby Reeder 2,424 to 2,049, carrying every precinct except the Smithville Church of God, where he only lost by one vote 114 to 113. Seber also claimed a majority of the early votes and absentees. Jeff McMillen had served in the office for 36 years.

Incumbent DeKalb County Road Supervisor Danny Hale, a Republican, won his bid for re-election defeating Democrat challenger Wayne Shehane 2,589 to 1,917. Hale won every precinct except Blue Springs, 84 to 80, and Snow Hill, 67 to 59. Hale also had a majority of the early votes and absentees.

Other Republican candidates running unopposed received complimentary votes in the election. Trustee Sean Driver had 3,800 votes with four write-ins; Sheriff Patrick Ray had 3,844 votes, with 15 write-ins; Circuit Court Clerk Susan Martin had 3,601 votes with two write-ins, and County Court Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss came away with 3,826 with seven write-ins. Assessor of Property Shannon Cantrell, also a Republican, holds office until 2024 when his term will be on the ballots.

The DeKalb County Commission will see a lot of new faces in September with nine new members elected to the 14-member commission. Eight seats will be held by Republicans with four held by Democrats and two by Independents.

In the First District, Republican Tom Chandler was on top with 303 votes while Independent Daniel D. Cripps received 225. Republican Bennett Armstrong lost with 178 votes and incumbent Democrat Julie Young came in last with 140 votes. Incumbent Shaee Flatt had been appointed to fill a vacated seat in 2021, did not seek election to a full term.

In the Second District, incumbent commissioners Republican Sabrina Farler and Democrat Myron Rhody both won re-election. Farler had 389 votes while Rhody received 307. Republican Jim Pearson came in third with 255 votes.

In the Third District, Independent candidate Tony Luna came away with 289 votes, while incumbent Democratic Commissioner Susannah Cripps Daughtry, who was also appointed in 2021 to fill a vacancy, was elected to her first full term with 260 votes. Republican Tim Perricone fell with 250 votes and former county commissioner Jack E. Barton, III, came in last with 230 votes.

In the Fourth District, Republicans Tony “Cully” Culwell and Greg Matthews won. Culwell had 335 votes while Matthews had 270. Incumbent Commissioner Janice Fish Stewart came in third with 237 votes and former commissioner Wayne Cantrell, running as an Independent, had only 199 votes. Incumbent Commissioner Dr. Scott Little, a Democrat, chose not to seek re-election, deciding to run for a seat on the DeKalb School Board.

Two GOP candidates will represent the Fifth District with Larry Green and Glynn Merriman each running unopposed.  Green received 414 votes while Merriman had 359. Incumbent Commissioner Anita Puckett had made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for County Mayor in May.

For the Sixth District, Republican Justin Douglas Adcock won the district with 311 votes, while incumbent Democratic Commissioner Jeff Barnes was re-elected with 267 votes. Republican challenger Doug Stephens came in with 259 votes while former Democratic commissioner Danny McGinnis had 112 votes. Incumbent commissioner Matt Adcock did not run as he entered a successful bid for County Mayor.

In the Seventh District Republican Timothy Brian Reynolds won with 271 votes, while incumbent Democrat Beth Pafford was re-elected with 248 votes. Incumbent Republican Bruce Malone fell short with 206 votes.

The terms of office for county commissioners are for four years, each to begin September 1.

In the race for Circuit Court Judge, Part I, District 13, incumbent Judge Amy Hollars of Livingston lost her bid for re-election with Republican William T. “Will” Ridley of Crossville coming out on top. Ridley won 20,475 to 12,480 across the seven-county Judicial District. In DeKalb, Ridley won 2,344 to 1,343. Ridley carried every local precinct and won a majority of the early votes and absentees. Hollars won only her home county of Overton 2,446 to 1,792.

The other six Republican judicial candidates in the 13th district won their elections unopposed. Circuit Court Judge Part II- 13th Judicial District Caroline Knight – 25,339 (district-wide) including 2,838 in DeKalb, Chancellor- 13th Judicial District Ronald Thurman (Incumbent) – 25,287 (district-wide) including 2,871 in DeKalb, Criminal Court Judge Part I 13th Judicial District Gary S. McKenzie (Incumbent)-24,850 (district-wide) including 2,753 in DeKalb, Criminal Court Judge Part II 13th Judicial District Wesley Bray (Incumbent)-24,591 (district-wide) including 2,699 in DeKalb, Public Defender 13th Judicial District Craig P. Fickling, Jr. (Incumbent)-23,367 (district-wide) including 2,578 in DeKalb, and District Attorney General 13th Judicial District Bryant C. Dunaway (Incumbent)-25,319 (district-wide) including 2,776 in DeKalb.