Russell County voters went to the polls Tuesday in large numbers. That is large numbers when you consider percentages and past records.

Anywhere around fifty percent is considered a great turnout. One lady was discussing this with us while we were waiting in line to vote. She was shocked to hear that half was considered a great turnout. Not good but great.

She was at loss to understand why people did not care enough to take time and go to the polls and vote.

The only explanation we could give her was that only half of the people care enough to vote but all the people want to complain.

State and nation wide, the Republicans seemed to sweep the election returns. Republicans managed a sweep of  the House of Representatives  and came  close to taking control of the Senate. Russell County did have one county-wide office that did not carry across on this Republican sweep, and that was the top county office, County Judge Executive. Democrat, Greg Robertson was elected by a small margin to move on up to the county’s chief operating officer. Robertson had previously served as Magistrate.

Sheriff Larry Bennett was elected to his sixth term in office. This makes Bennett possibly the longest serving Sheriff in the state or at least among the very elite group of longest serving. No one in the state could have served longer than Bennett as he was in his first term in office when the law changed allowing the sheriff to succeed himself.

Congratulations to all winners and congratulations to all candidates for caring enough about their community to put themselves  in such a public position. We believe this was one of the most active door-to-door campaigns we have witnessed for a long time. All the candidates are to be commended.