KINGWOOD — The big spenders in county elections were in the Republican primary for sheriff, but big spending didn’t equal a win.
Campaign financial reports for the period May 25-June 30 were due by July 7. This information includes all expenses up until June 30 candidates reported spending.
Sheriff
Three people sought the Republican nomination for Preston County sheriff. The winner was Chief Deputy P.A. “Moe” Pritt, with 3,128 votes, which is 51.69% of ballots cast. Jason Peaslee received 2,106 votes (34.80%) and Joel E. Gordon, 817 (13.50%).
Peaslee outspent the other two, reporting total expenditures of $16,681.11. Pritt reported raising $6,732.87 so far and spending $6,642.87. Gordon reported expenditures of $4,559.69.
Democrat Arnold Tichnell was unopposed in the primary. He reported expenses to date of $502.66.
Magistrates
All three Preston magistrate positions were up for election, but two incumbents ran unopposed in their divisions.
P.L. Grimm spent a total of $932.63 on her race, and Bo Ward spent $575.
In Division 3, there were four candidates in the running. The winner, Rhonda Sypolt, reported spending $2,563.87 total. She received 2,664 votes, or 31.07%, of the ballots cast.
James Maier was second in the votes received, with 2,437 votes, or 28.42%. Maier reported total expenses of $3,108.06.
Third in votes was Peggy Pase, with 1,732 votes, 20.20%. She spent $3,110.58 total on the election. The fourth candidate, Aaron Knotts, got 1,724 votes, 20.10%, and had not filed a fourth quarter report as of Monday.
Board of education
Three seats were available on the Preston County Board of Education. Two candidates, Pam Feathers (District 3) and Jeanne Dreisbach (District 1), were guaranteed seats because of the districts in which they ran.
Dreisbach and Feather spent only their $25 filing fee. Feathers received 5,099 votes, Dreisbach, 4,597.
In District 2, Peter Liga and Bruce Huggins squared off. Huggins was the winner, with 6,053 votes (34.28%) to Liga’s 1,854 (10.50%). Huggins reported total expenditures for the election of $124.05. Liga had not filed a fourth quarter report as of Monday.
Unopposed races
Republican candidates for assessor, county commission and prosecutor ran unopposed. No Democrats were on the ballot for those offices.
Incumbent Commissioner Don Smith said he spent $413.95. Jay Shay of Shay for Prosecutor reported raising $3,913.30 and spending $3,425.12. Incumbent Assessor Connie Ervin had not filed a fourth quarter report as of Monday.
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