Voters decide issues

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

— GRAVETTE - More than 70 percent of Benton County voters turned out at the polls in last Tuesday’s election. Of the 113,361 persons registered, 79,614 either voted early or crowded into the polling sites.

Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney garnered 54,544 votes, topping the 22,592 for President Obama. Republicans, apparently for the first time since Reconstruction days following the Civil War, gained control of both the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives.

Congressman Steve Womack was returned to his position in Congress with an almost 80 percent margin of victory over challenger Green Party candidateRebekah Kennedy, 59,810 to 9,514.

In the other county race, County Judge Bob Clinard was re-elected with 50,415 votes to challenger Ronnie Smith’s 23,429.

Benton County voters approved the sale of intoxicating liquors with 51,404 votes in favor and 27,134 votes opposed. This reverses the dry-county status which has been in effect since the early 1940s.

County voters approved the one-half cent sales tax for roads, 43,627 for and 33,420 opposed; defeated a measure which would have allowed cities and counties to issue bonds 41,020 to 31,286; and defeated the medical marijuana issue 41,280 against to 36,913 for.

In one other race, for District Judge Division2, Ray Bunch defeated Victoria Morris 35,830 to 28,520.

Local Races

In local races Bob Tharp received 155 votes to defeat incumbent James Jessen’s 108 votes for the Ward 2, Position 1, council seat in Decatur.

In Gravette, James Denver retained his Ward 1, Position 1, council slot with 477 votes to 287 for Chris Beller. Larry Stidham was re-elected to the Ward 2, Position, 1 slot. He received 465 votes to 307 for Betty Howard.

In Gentry, a runoff will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, for the Ward 1, Position 1, slot between Jason Barrett, who received 367 votes, and Katrina Cryer, who garnered 275 votes. Mike Savage, Sr., who received 262 votes, was the third candidate.

All totals are unofficial and uncertified and do not reflect overseas, military and provisional ballots.

News, Pages 1 on 11/14/2012