Though the race was close from the beginning the unofficial results without final absentee ballets from the Newton County Board of Election show that Newton County Sheriff's Lt. Ezell Brown will be the next sheriff of Newton County.

With 51.31 percent of the votes, Brown overtook Lt. Bill Watterson who received roughly 48.56 percent of the votes in the county.

"I feel great," said Brown. "I feel like the citizens did the right thing. We made a lot of promises to the citizens of Newton County and I plan on making them come true."

Brown said he expected the race between himself and Watterson would be a close call and that he hoped that Watterson would continue to stay on with the NCSO and further his career. "I look forward to working with him," he said.

Tax Commissioner
Barbara Dingler won a third term as Newton County Tax Commissioner. She has served nine years as commissioner and won the race with 54.67 percent of the vote. Challenger Nicholas P. Day received 45.26 percent of the vote.

"I'm happy," Dingler said. "I've always enjoyed working for Newton County and servicing the people of this city and I look forward to another term."

Board of Education District 2
Challenger Eddie Johnson took the position of Board of Education District 2 with 53.87 percent, beating out incumbent Rickie Corley who received 46.06 percent.

Neither men could be reached as of press time but Corley had served on the board for nearly 12 years.