Cherokee County Revenue Commissioner John A. Roberts won the primary election in his bid for re-election to the job he has held for 14 years after facing the kind of negative campaign rarely seen at the local level.

With 25 of 26 precincts reporting, Roberts topped his opponents with 2,178 votes, compared with 840 for Bobby Borders and 374 for Harrell Whitener.

The lifelong Cherokee County resident said he did not respond publicly to the attacks on his character and his family because he tried to take the high road and conduct himself the way a public official should.

“I appreciate the confidence people have shown in me and the support of family and friends,” he said. “It has been a trying campaign due to the negative tactics used by others, my opponents and the people handling their campaigns.”

Roberts said he is proud of the Revenue Office and the improvements he has helped make and welcomes questions about its operation.

In a tight race for commission District III, incumbent Elbert St. Clair of Leesburg garnered 1,185 votes to Lanny Starr’s 1,187 votes. Tina Gordon of Cedar Bluff had 1,074 in her first political outing. A runoff is expected between St. Clair and Starr.

Starr, a Centre businessman and former Chamber of Commerce chairman, has served on many community service projects including the Red Cross Souper Supper and the Spirit of Cherokee.

He was appointed to Gadsden State Community College’s Recruitment and Selection Committee, which is selecting an economic development director for Cherokee County. Starr said he thinks the county can do better economically and he can help lead it in that direction.

Incumbent St. Clair said during his tenure on the commission he helped improve the county jail and courthouse security.



In the race for the commission District I seat, Wade Sprouse led his opponents with 1,633 votes to 1,178 for Buddy Barkley and 521 for Grady Rhinehart. A runoff is likely between Sprouse and Barkley.



Provisional ballots, which make up the 26th precinct, had not been counted at press time. These are ballots that may be in dispute because of an address change or other factor. There are 19 of these ballots.



Sprouse, who works at Cherokee Electric Coopera-tive, said his experience with budgets will help him on the commission. Barkley said his experience in the construction industry will help him meet the county's challenges.



For Place 5 on the Board of Education, incumbent Lisa McKissick of Gaylesville led with 1,713 votes to Tommy McDaniel’s 1,641