Former Idabel Mayor Tina Foshee-Thomas and Tony Hill came away the clear winners in Tuesday’s special primary election for the District No. 2 County Commissioner’s seat.
Foshee-Thomas was one of three Republican candidates for that party’s nomination while Hill was one of two Democrats contesting that nomination.
Foshee-Thomas was the clear favorite of District 2 voters, securing 385 out of 513 Republican ballots, according to unofficial results from the McCurtain County Election Board. This share amounts to 75.05 percent of GOP votes cast.
The other two candidates, Terry Wendt and Byron Hamil, received 88 (17.15 percent) and 40 votes (7.80 percent), respectively.
For the Democrats, Tony Hill obtained almost the same percentage as Foshee-Thomas did with Republicans. Hill received 319 of 438 Democratic votes, or 72.83 percent. Ronald Gene Barnes received 119 votes, or 27.17 percent.
A total of 438 Democrats (or registered independents, who may vote in Democratic primaries) voted in that primary.
Foshee-Thomas and Hill will now face each other and independent candidate D.J. David in a general election on Sept. 12.
The winner will succeed former District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, who retired earlier this year after the McCurtain Gazette released audio allegedly of Jennings, McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, MCSO Captain Alicia Manning and McCurtain County Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix discussing the killing of Gazette reporters and making racist and other controversial statements during a public meeting.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, among others, called for these public officials to resign, but as of Tuesday, only Jennings has done so.
Ray Bamburg is currently fulfilling the role of District 2 commissioner after being appointed to do so. Bamburg, however, does not live in District 2 and is not eligible for re-election.
Tina Foshee-Thomas
Tony Hill
