Barren Judge-Executive snags third term; Allen elects Dem. Hobdy

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Across the region, some incumbent judges-executive were re-elected while others lost their seats to newcomers during Tuesday’s election.

In Allen County, Democrat Johnny Hobdy snagged more than 62 percent of the vote, beating Republican Judge-Executive Bobby Young. Hobdy, owner of Advanced Polishing in Scottsville, served as judge-executive from 1999 to 2006.

“It does feel good,” he said. “It is a difficult job, and I’m certainly excited about the challenge and hope to move our county forward. And in difficult times, that’s certainly a challenge.”

It’s those tough economic times that might have helped Hobdy snag a win Tuesday, he said.

“I certainly attribute my victory to … (the fact) that people are experiencing hard times and voted to have a change,” he said. “And I hope I can deliver.”

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Hobdy’s main focus will be jobs. He plans to push for more work and help jobless people in Allen County find employment, he said.

“It’s been tough economic times for this county, this state and this country,” he said.

Also in Allen County, Danny Rutheford, Tony A. Wolfe, Rickey Cooksey and Roman Perry Jr. picked up magistrate seats in the contested magisterial races in the county.

In Barren County, Republican Judge-Executive Davie Greer barely hung on to her role for a third term, beating Democratic challenger Barney Jones by a little more than 200 votes.

“It’s been a tough race, and I knew that I had a good candidate that was running that was well-known,” she said. “I’m just thrilled … that the people of Barren County want me to serve for another four years, and I appreciate everything that everybody did for me.”

Greer attributes her victory to loyal supporters who have stuck by her over the years.

“People just got behind me, and they know that I’ve given my all to this county,” she said. “This is my life, and this is what I’ve thoroughly enjoyed for the last eight years. People knew me well enough and that’s what they want in their county judge.”

Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields, a Republican, also will remain in office after beating Democratic opponent Joey Frances Franzell with 61.3 percent of the vote.

Three Barren County residents, who ran in contested races, picked up magisterial seats – Rickey Alan Spillman, Carl Howard Dickerson and Gary E. Gillon.

In Edmonson County, Bennie “Buck” Simmons, Willie Lindsey, Neil Vincent and Clark Wood won magistrate seats.

Other regional magistrates who won contested races are Jo Orange, Drexel Wayne Johnson, Russell Poore and Jack Crossley in Logan County and Stevie R. Givens and Johnny Tuck in Butler County.

In Logan County, Joe Ross, currently an assistant commonwealth’s attorney, was elected as county attorney.

The Russellville Democrat received 4,214 votes to 3,623 for his opponent, J. Corey Morgan, according to unofficial vote totals.

District Judge Sue Carol Browning was re-elected to her post for the 7th Judicial District, which includes Logan and Todd counties. She beat Ken Williams 6,265 to 5,378.

In Simpson and Allen counties’ 49th Judicial District, longtime District Judge Frank Wakefield was unseated by Scottsville attorney Martha Blair Harrison. Harrison beat the Franklin resident 6,044 to 4,934.