Post 2 voters here Tuesday overwhelmingly chose Donald Glen”Donnie” Mullins as their new Justice Court Judge but sided withlosing candidate Keith Starrett in the state Supreme Courtdecision.

Tuesday’s vote also brought the election Woodrow Wilson to theDistrict 1 supervisor’s post in Franklin County.

Wilson will fill the remainder of David Griffin’s term. Griffindied a year ago, and his wife, Elizabeth, had occupied the seatuntil this election, according to Circuit Clerk MillieThornton.

Election results Tuesday differed from the results in thegeneral election. Wilson (443 votes) overtook Tony Mullins (318votes), who had led Nov. 7 with 301 votes to 262 votes.

Turnout in both counties was very low, according to the circuitclerks. Thornton said only 1,789 voters of a registered 6,500showed up to cast their ballots in Franklin County.

In Lawrence County, Circuit Clerk Cindy Stokes said 2,584 votedof approximately 10,500 registered voters.

Donnie Mullins said he expected a low turnout and was pleasedwith the number of voters who ventured into the cold to cast theirvotes.

“I think it was pretty good for a special election,” hesaid.

Mullins received 1,237 votes to Curtis “Curt” Brister’s 591 toget the nod for the bench, according to complete but unofficialresults.

Despite the elimination of seven other candidates in the race onNov. 7, the two candidates’ totals Tuesday were reflective of theresults in the previous race. In the general election, Mullinsreceived 962 votes to Brister’s 575.

Stokes said she believes neither candidate picked up many newsupporters, but rather those who voted for them Nov. 7 returned torecast their votes Tuesday.

Mullins said it was close race and he appreciated thesupport.

“I’m very thankful to the people, and I appreciate the votes,”Mullins said. “I want to assure the people I’ll try to be a goodjudge and do what’s right.”

The new judge said he would turn over the reins of MullinsSporting Goods to his son, Justin, due to his new obligations.

“I can’t say I won’t be in there, but it’ll be his business torun not mine,” Mullins said.

The special election became necessary when incumbent Maxie CareyRutland, who served in the seat for more than 20 years, died inDecember 1999 after being elected in November. Albert Turnage wasappointed in January 2000 to sit the bench until the election. Healso ran for the office, but was eliminated Nov. 7.

In the supreme court race, Lawrence County chose Starrett,circuit judge for Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties, but Diaz wonthe district. Starrett received 1,669 votes to carry him over Diaz,who received 915.

Starrett also carried Franklin County in his bid to win the27-county supreme court district. Starrett received 1,072 votescompared to the 666 received by Diaz.