Controversial Perry County Commissioner Race Finally Decided
In one of the closest elections in recent history, the dispute over who won the Perry County 1st District Commissioner race in the Democratic Party Primary is over. A vote by the Perry County Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Rev. Carlton Hogue in favor of challenger Donald Bennett gives him a one vote victory. He unseats Albert Turner who has served on the commission for more than two decades.
This is Bennett's econd one vote win over Turner, except the first one ended up not counting. Turner challenged the outcome of the May 19th balloting leading to a recount and a 398-398 tie.
Party rules allowed the 398-398 tie to be broken by the county executive committee chair. Hogue, who is also the county's probate judge, voted for Bennett, giving him a final one-vote victory.
Donald Bennettsays the recount highlighted the importance of maintaining confidence in elections.
“It did show us that the entire voting process has to be tightened up,” Bennett told WSFA 12 News in Montgomery. “We have to make sure that we’re following the procedures. We do not want to lose confidence in the voting system.”
In a Facebook post Bennet wrote, "I remain committed to honoring your voices and to serving this community with the same dedication and purpose that led me to seek this office."
Bennett will become the firts district commissioner because no Republican qualified for the position in the November 3rd General Election.
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