Circuit clerks around the area saidelections in Lawrence, Copiah and Franklin counties went offwithout any hitches Tuesday, and reported high voter turnouts andsmooth operations instead.

    Early Wednesday morning, clerks’ offices had winners declared withunofficial results.

    Lawrence County saw several contested elections, including asuperintendent run that welcomed a new face as the head ofeducation.

    Tammy Givens Fairburn, a Democrat, took in the majority of voteswith 57.26 percent, or 3,216 votes. She defeated Republican DarylScoggin and independents Amos D. Bridges and OneidaSibley-Butler.

    “Of course, I’m excited about my win,” Fairburn said Tuesday night.”It’s just been such a busy election season. I’m humbled eachelection period that the people of Lawrence County support me.”

    Fairburn fought current Superintendent Tony Davis for theDemocratic nomination in the August primaries and again a few weekslater in a runoff.

    Fairburn has 30 years of experience in the education field, 17years as a teacher and 13 in administration.

    “My mission for the district is to provide an academic program thatwill produce productive citizens for Lawrence County and thestate,” she said. “We have a good school system in Lawrence County,and I plan on making it one of the best in the state.”

    Sheriff Joel Thames retained his post Tuesday night as voters gavehim 52.74 percent, or 2,979 votes. The Democrat defeated Republicancandidate Brad Davis and independent Willie Collins Jr.

    “I thank them (voters) so much for their trust, and I’m thankful toable to serve them for another four years,” Thames said Tuesdaynight. “We’re going to start in the morning trying to be the bestwe can be to serve the public.”

    In other Lawrence County races, incumbent District Two SupervisorBilly Joe Boutwell defeated independent Joseph Evans by garnering67.80 percent, or 819 votes. District Three Supervisor Jerry WayneSmithie received 67.72 percent, or 877 votes, to defeat RepublicanKenneth Platt and independent Keith Beard.

    Justice Court Judge Albert Turnage retained his Post One positionwith 79.86 percent, or 2,141 votes, to defeat Republican WilliamBarton.

    Post One Constable Lessie Butler defeated Republican Ben Johnsonwith 72.18 percent, or 1,897 votes; and the Post Two Constableposition went to Democrat Royce Renfroe, who had 52.27 percent, or1,506 votes, to Republican Heather Sistrunk Barton’s 47.66 percent,or 1,373.

    In Franklin County races, Sheriff James Newman defeated Republicancandidate David Shell with 74.84 percent, or 2,116 votes.

    “So far we’ve been able to keep the people’s support,” Newman said.”People always have been good to me over here, and we try to do ourjobs the best we can. We’re going to give them another fouryears.”

    District Four Supervisor Jerry L. Howell received 65.13 percent, or411 votes, to defeat Republican opponent W. Dennis Calcote, andPost Two Justice Court Judge Jerry Crane obtained 68.91, or 1,106votes, to beat out independents Buddy Blackwell and Ron Smith.

    In Copiah County, Sheriff Harold Jones, who received 6,384 votes,defeated Republican Ellis Howell Jr. (783 votes) and independentJimmy Strong (2,011 votes), according to unofficial results fromTuesday night.

    “We worked hard to win,” Jones said. “I congratulate my opponents,two good men, on a good race. Obviously (Copiah County citizens)are happy with the way their sheriff’s office is run.”

    In other Copiah County races, Post One Justice Court Judge LillieMcKenzie defeated independent Albert Tate with 3,211 votes to his804. And Post Two Constable Ronnie Earls received 3,481 votes todefeat Republican Steven Footé (1,041 votes) and independent JamesWhittington (435 votes).