District Four’s W.D. “Doug” Moak is the only supervisor whosefuture as the Democratic torch bearer remains uncertain followingsweeping incumbent victories by three of the four opposed countyleaders in Tuesday’s Democratic primaries.

The incumbent District Four supervisor will face formersupervisor C.E. “Eddie” Brown in an Aug. 28 Democratic runoff. Moaktallied the most votes with 820, but was unable to secure a clearmajority when Brown captured 558 votes.

The winner of the runoff will advance to meet independentchallenger Earl H. Brown in the Nov. 6 general election.

Moak and Eddie Brown outpaced fellow Democrats Jeff Fauver, with378 votes, and Charles Davis, with 333 votes, to advance to therunoff.

“It was a good campaign by all candidates and I’m glad to be inthe runoff,” said Moak, who is seeking a third term of office.

Eddie Brown said the runoff is an indication that District Fourresidents are looking for something else in their supervisor.

“I could have hoped for a few more votes in the early stages,but I feel the way the vote went means the people of District Fourare ready for a change,” he said. “I’m very thankful for thesupport I received.”

The challenger said he has already begun building a larger baseof support for the runoff.

“Some of the other candidates’ supporters have already talked tome and indicated they would be swinging my way,” Eddie Brown said.”We will be working hard on that for the next few weeks.”

Incumbent District Five Supervisor Gary Walker soared past hisDemocratic challengers Tuesday, but still faces a challenge byRepublican Michael Assink in the general election.

“I want to thank God, my family, my employees and all the votersof District Five I had support from. This is a remarkable victory,”Walker said. “I want to thank the other two candidates for a cleanrace.”

The incumbent captured 1,170 votes to move past Bob K. Smith,with 456 votes, and Rayborn Bowman, with 419 votes, in hisre-election bid.

Assink also had to defeat an opponent to secure the Republicannomination for District Five supervisor. He defeated Donald R.Golmon on a vote of 92 to 65.

“It was the first time I know of we’ve had two Republicans inthat race, so that was good,” Assink said. “It’s hard to run as aRepublican in a Democratic area. I appreciate all the people whovoted Republican with everything on the Democratic side (of theticket).”

The District Five Republican nominee said he faces an uphillbattle in his challenge to unseat Walker when the two meet inNovember.

“I feel shaky (about my chances) because people have votedDemocratic for a long time,” Assink said. “People are not used tolooking at Republicans this far down ticket. I just want them tostop and think. The Republicans can offer a lot – and not just inmy race.”

Meanwhile, incumbents Bobby J. Watts and Nolan Earl Williamsoncoasted to sweeping victories to seize third terms in Districts Twoand Three, respectively. Neither supervisor has a future challengefrom an opposition candidate.

Watts, who gathered 1,156 votes, defeated Democratic challengersEllis Dave Chatmon, with 454 votes, and Jerry E. Nix, with 209votes, to win another term.

Watts said he was glad the election was over and he could againapply his full attention to the needs of District Two.

“When I got elected I came to produce and I’ve done that,” hesaid. “I’m 100 percent for District Two and our county. (Votershave) thought enough of me to elect me three times and I appreciatethat. It’s time to go back to work in the morning.”

His first task, he said, is to complete paperwork on thecontract awarded Monday to realign and reconstruct approximatelytwo miles of Heuck’s Retreat Road between Heuck’s Retreat BaptistChurch and the railroad tracks and make preparations for 11.5 milesof road sealing and striping in his district.

Williamson posted the strongest victory of the night bycapturing more than 75 percent of the votes in his district. His1,522 votes outpaced the 270 votes received by Russell L. Laird andMarley B. Bowman’s 219 votes.

“I feel humbled and excited,” Williamson said. “Words can’texpress how grateful I feel to the voters of District Three. I onlywish I could have gotten 100 percent, including my opponents,because that would mean I was satisfying all of my people.”

Williamson said he could not pin down which campaign issueslifted him above his challengers, but said he believes hisbackground in construction and management gave him an edge becausehe knows “what it is to have a budget, stay in the budget and getthe work done.”