Newman, McBride face off in primary runoff
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan MITCHEL NEWMAN, left, accepts congratulations from a well-wisher during last Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride will face off against Mitchel Newman April 8 in a runoff election to determine the Democratic candidate for the office. The winner will face the challenge of Republican Jim Byerly in the November general election.

Last Tuesday, during the Democratic and Republican primary elections, the night belonged to Newman.

Newman garnered 3,354 votes or 43.8 percent of the vote to McBride's 2,623 or 34.3 percent of the vote. Kirbyville Police Chief Paul Brister finished in third place with 1,665 votes or 21.7 percent of the vote.

"I'm glad the people of Jasper County came out and voted like they did," Newman said following Tuesday's primary results. "I would have liked to won out tonight but there are lots of good people in Jasper County and I'm glad they took the interest to come out and vote and I hope they will come out and vote again in 30 days."

McBride minced no words as he admitted to being "a little disappointed" with the results of last Tuesday's primary.

Ronnie McBride

"Newman was a lot better than I figured he would show but I am still in and I will fight to the finish," McBride said.

McBride thought coming into the primary that the election would come down to the more experienced candidates in the race but early voting showed a different story.

"I really believe to this point in this election that it is not about qualifications - I think that is pretty obvious," McBride said. "I really don't know what people are looking at or what they are seeking but we have done a really good job the last three years serving the people. I think we did just about as good of a job as could be done with the budget and personnel that we have.

"I am looking forward to the run-off election April 8 and if re-elected I will be proud to serve four more years," McBride said. "If not, then God has ways of shutting and opening doors."

Like most county elections, the Buna/Evadale areas are crucial to carry and Newman was strong in these areas as he won all three boxes to seal his victory.

Newman won Box 17 Evadale by a vote of 222 to 83 for McBride and 51 for Brister. The first Buna Box 15 came in with Newman again posting an impressive win at 277 to 155 for McBride and 127 for Brister. The final Buna Box 9 came in with Newman garnering 195 votes to McBride's 109 and Brister's 100.

Newman posted an early lead when the early votes were posted and never looked back at his two opponents. When the early votes were posted, Newman held a commanding lead with 1,582 votes to McBride's 1,074 and Brister's 520.

The first two boxes that came in, Jasper South and Holly Springs, padded Newman's lead before McBride started to chip away at the lead. The incumbent sheriff captured the next seven boxes by slim margins to cut Newman's lead to 2,094-1,573.

The first "big" box to be posted to the primary scorecard was the Kirbyville area, which Brister had hoped to carry in order to improve his standing in the race.

But McBride won the Kirbyville box with 269 votes to Brister's 233 and Newman's 139. McBride pulled to within 2,445-2,059 at that point.

The next "big" box to come in was Call Junction, which again saw McBride claim the box and cut into Newman's lead on the night.

McBride won Call Junction by a 160-127 margin over Brister as Newman gained 122 votes in the area.

Newman admitted he was "tired" after this first process was finished.

"The people of this county have been good to me and I plan to work as hard as I have in the past," Newman said. "I will walk door-todoor and shake some hands and try to get my voters back out and to let the people of Jasper County know that I want this job and I will do the best I can to improve some things and work hard for this county."

Newman said he expected a close sheriff's race.

"There was three good men running for this office and I respect both of my opponents," Newman said.

In the battle for Democratic Precinct 3 Commissioner race, Willie Stark won re-election to office as he held off the challenge of Weldon Smith to earn the Democratic nomination for the office. Stark will face independent candidate Bubba Vann in the November general election.

Stark garnered 1,030 votes to Smith's 899 to capture the primary.

"Anytime you win an election you are tickled," Stark said. "I just want everybody to know I appreciate them and I will continue the programs we have started."

In two other Jasper County constable races that were contested, Gene Hawthorne defeated incumbent Mark McKinley for the Precinct 4 post.

Incumbent Tommy Robinson defeated Joe Dunigan for the Precinct 6 Constable's post. Robinson suffered a mild heart attack on the way home from the election results.

He was transferred to Beaumont St. Elizabeth's.

Early voting for the runoff election will begin March 31 through April 4.

 

Jasper County Runoff				Democratic
Primary	Election			2008
Final Unofficial Returns/Contested Races
Voting Precinct		Jasper County Sheriff		Commissioner, Precinct 3
	McBride	Newman	Brister	Stark	Smith
1	10	3	0
2	53	52	43
3	60	54	22
4	41	12	39
5	21	16	9
6	55	59	33
7	38	49	26
8	61	49	21
9	109	195	100
10	160	122	127	207	202
11	28	33	26
12	52	34	52	102	37
13	60	75	40	77	99
14	269	139	233	359	276
15	155	277	127
16	4	41	28
17	83	222	51
19	136	131	74
20	66	117	33
21	88	92	61
Early	1,074	1,582	520	285	285
Total	2,623	3,354	1,165	1,030	899