WEST UNION-- In Doddridge County, the races for assessor and sheriff were the heated battles Tuesday evening.
Incumbent assessor David M. Collins, D-Salem, won the race over Worthy C. Underwood, Jr. R-West Union, with a vote of 1,761 to 1,018.
In the race for sheriff, the vote was close between newcomers Republican Denver W. Cox, who received 1,480 and Democrat John H. Davis, who received 1,265.
"I think the spread with the assessor's race was a bit of a surprise because the incumbent was running against the current sheriff," said County Commissioner Ora Ash.
In the contested race for the 3rd Judicial Circuit Judge, incumbent Robert L. Holland Jr, R-Greenwood, garnered 2,063 votes to former mental hygiene commissioner John M. Butler, D-St. Marys, 684.
In the county commission race, incumbent Republican Clinton D. Means defeated Independent Ben Adams at 1,544 to 1,053 votes.
In uncontested races, Republican Dan Wellings received 2,182 votes for surveyor, Republicans Frances Davis and Jamie Moran were elected as magistrates with 2,105 and 1,769 votes respectively and Republican Lucien Sammons was elected prosecuting attorney with 2,014 votes.
Doddridge county voters passed the statewide Constitutional Amendment No. 1, the "Unified Family Court Amendment," with a count of 1,408 for and 771 against.
On the state ticket for Senator for the 2nd District, Doddridge voters chose Republican Larry Tighe over Democrat Jeffrey Kessler with 1,337 votes to 1,129.
In an uncontested race for the House of Delegates, Republican Roger Romine received 2,181 votes.
The race for governor went to Republican Cecil H. Underwood over Democrat Bob Wise at 1,864 to 902.
Democrat Alan Mollohan was the county's choice for the U.S. House of Representatives taking 2,060 votes to Libertarian Richard Kerr's 295.
Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush was the voters choice for the county and Senator Robert C. Byrd was the favorite for senator.
The results were not surprising, according to Ash.
"Doddridge County is predominantly a Republican county. It's about two-thirds Republican approximately," he said.
With all 12 precincts reporting, the voter turnout was good and estimated at about 66 percent, Ash said.
Staff writer Jennifer Biller can be reached at 626-1449 or jbiller@exponent-telegram.com.
