Russell County voters decide coroner and probate judge races

In the only two contested Russell County races for local public office Tuesday night — probate judge and coroner — the incumbents won both, one by a landslide, the other a lot closer.

Democratic incumbent Probate Judge Alford Harden Jr. easily won re-election to a third six-year term, defeating Republican challenger Pamela Williams, 68 percent to 32 percent (10,153 to 4,692), with all 17 precincts reporting and only overseas military ballots yet to be counted.

“I am truly honored and blessed to have the citizens of Russell County honor me to serve another six years,” Harden told the Ledger-Enquirer in a phone interview Tuesday night. “I’m humbled. I couldn’t ask for more. I have a wonderful family, a wonderful support system, and they came out and supported me.”

The key to his victory, Harden said, was that “people trust me. I’ve earned that trust over the last 12 years.”

Democratic incumbent Arthur Sumbry Jr. held off Republican challenger Roger Newman 53 percent to 47 percent (7,970 to 7,034) with all precincts reporting and only eight provisional ballots yet to be counted.

“I thank God for another opportunity,” Sumbry told the Ledger-Enquirer in a phone interview Tuesday night. “. . . I love the people of Russell County, and I will serve them with the utmost respect and professionalism, as we always have.”

This will be Sumbry’s fourth four-year term.

The key to his victory, Sumbry said, was that “experience does matter in the end. The voters and the families have trusted me for 12 years, and they have confidence in me and my staff. I am most humbled and most grateful.”

Mark Rice, 706-576-6272, @MarkRiceLE.

This story was originally published November 6, 2018 at 9:38 PM.