Interesting numbers from the Calhoun County Primary Election were, of course, those who won their race, but a far more telling group of statistics county wide was change in the numbers of those who took the time to make sure their vote was counted.
The total number of registered voters in Calhoun County for the 2024 election was 4,363. Of which 1,592 are Republicans and 1,354 are Democrats. A historic change from the decades of previously Democrat majority.
According to the summary results report from the office of County Clerk Jean Simers, nearly 75% of registered Republicans voted in yesterday’s election. (74.75%) While only 37.44% of the Democrat voters turned out to vote. Of the Ballots cast, 1,190 were Republicans and 507 were Democrats.
The most republican votes being cast for a local candidate was for Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hicks at 878, with the most Democrat votes being cast for Jason Nettles at 426. Both of which were unopposed in their party. Michael Hicks will face off against Shannon Johnson in the General Election this fall.
As reported in the HurHerald in 2020, the highest Democrat recipient of votes in the Local Primary county election was in the Assessor’s race at 935 Democrat votes for Jason Nettles, with the highest recipient of Republican votes being cast for House of Delegates, Roger Hanshaw at 660.
Comparing years is somewhat like comparing apples and oranges. Many factors come into play, weather, etc. But it is the opinion of the Ridgeview News that the greatest factor that has came into play for the current Republican takeover is the fact that the liberal mindset of the Democratic Party has gotten so extreme, even staunch Democrats can’t justify them.
Times they are a changin’. The low voter turn out by Democrats was very telling on the public opinion of the current status of the Democratic Party. Which in Calhoun County is all but non existent. Having only one active member in their Executive Committee to the knowledge of the Ridgeview News, which is Deirdre Purdy.
I found it interesting, yet not surprising, that of the 1,090 Republican voters, all but 99 voted for Donald Trump. But of the 507 Democrats, only 212 voted for Joe Biden.
Of course November is several miles away, and, as we’ve seen in the past, a lot can happen and a detour can take us to a whole new location. But feel free to weigh in on the comments as to why you believe the election went the way it did.
