Jackson, GOP, sweep through Escambia

Escambia County incumbent Republican Sheriff Heath Jackson rolled past Democratic challenger Shaun Golden Tuesday to win his re-election bid with a heavy Republican turnout that also swept across the state of Alabama.

Unofficial returns show Jackson with 7,458 votes, or 77.06 percent, to Golden's 2,206 votes at 22.79 percent.

A total of 9,733 Escambia County residents cast ballots Tuesday for a 36.32 percent turnout. Of the ballots cast there were 5,329 straight Republican Party votes cast to 2,167 straight Democratic Party votes. There were also 220 straight Libertarian Party votes cast.

Escambia County followed the trend across the state that saw all Republicans seeking statewide office winning by large margins.

The only Democrat elected in Escambia County was District 5 County Commissioner Karean L. Reynolds who won his re-election bid without opposition. Reynolds received 800 votes or 96.97 percent. There were 25 write-ins in that election.

"I feel good and honored that the people are giving me a second term as their sheriff," Jackson said Tuesday night at the Escambia County Courthouse. "This office belongs to the people and will continue to belong to the people."

"I will keep my promise for being there when you need us," Jackson added.

Golden said his campaign was an education and congratulated Jackson.

"It was fun," Golden said. "I met a lot of good people."

He said even though he worked in law enforcement in Escambia County he didn't realize the county was so big.

"It's one thing to drive across this county, but when you get out and start walking to meet people it's another," Golden added.

Across the state of Alabama 1,419,718 ballots were cast for a voting turnout of 38.50 percent. Escambia County followed the state trend with its support of Republican candidates.

Incumbent Republican Gov. Kay Ivey received 66.93 percent of the votes (944,845) statewide to defeat Democrat Yolanda Rochelle Flowers who garnered 411,687 votes or 29.16 percent. Libertarian candidate James 'Jimmy' Blake received 45,823 votes for 0.67 percent.

In Escambia County Gov. Ivey received 7,286 votes or 75.25 percent to Flowers' 2,167 votes or 22.38 percent. Blake received 220 votes in Escambia or 2.27 percent.

Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth took 83.69 percent of the vote across the state with 955,372 votes to Libertarian Ruth Page-Nelson's 178,069 votes for 9.62 percent. Ainsworth received 90.14 percent of the vote in Escambia County with 7,278 votes to Page-Nelson's 777 votes or 9.62 percent.

Republican Katie Britt easily defeated Democratic challenger Will Boyd with 940,048 votes or 66.64 percent to Boyd's 435,428 votes or 30.87 percent. In Escambia County, Britt received 7,284 votes or 75.47 percent to Boyd's 2,247 votes or 3.28 percent.

Circuit Judge Todd Stearns, State Sen. Greg Albritton, State Rep. Alan Baker, District Attorney Steve Billy, Commissioner Steven Dickey, School Board member Cindy Jackson and School Board member Sherry Digmon all won re-election to their respective seats without opposition on the ballot. Former Commissioner Larry White will also be returning to the board after winning Tuesday's election with no Democratic opposition.

Escambia County also followed the trend across the state by voting yes on all constitutional amendments on Tuesday's ballot.

Results from other races across the state can be found on the Alabama Secretary of States' website.