Esther Helton is a Republican.
In a race where her opponent, Jonathan Mason, insisted that the East Ridge City Councilwoman cast a ballot for former President Barack Obama twice, voters in State House District 30 gave the nod to Helton in the Republican Primary, 3,507 votes to 3,367.
“People over politics prevailed tonight,” Helton said after the results were in. “I am so honored that through this diversity the voters of District 30 understand that it’s more important to provide results over lies and dirty politics.
“I look forward to solving the problems of healthcare, education and creating jobs for Tennesseans.”
Helton will now face Democrat Joda Thongnopnua, who ran unopposed, in the Nov. 6 General Election.
Esther Helton
Marc Gravitt, who did not seek re-election to his State House seat to run for Register of Deeds, outdistanced Democrat Vickie Schroyer, 30,725 votes to 23,310.
In the District 8 Hamilton County School Board race, two-term incumbent David Testerman was upset by political newcomer Tucker McClendon, 2,612 votes to 2,480.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger was returned to office for a second full term. Coppinger prevailed over Aloyse Brown. Coppinger received 33,576 votes to Brown’s 22,045
Jim Hammond was returned to the Sheriff’s office, outdistancing Democrat Victor Miller by a healthy, 3-2, margin.
Facing no opposition in the General Election, District 8 County Commissioner Tim Boyd was returned to office for his third term.
Boyd handily defeated East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert for the Republican nomination in May. Boyd is facing an Aug. 9 court date where he is accused of extortion in connection to tape-recorded conversations he had with Lambert in February where he allegedly attempted to coerce Lambert to drop out of the primary.
Former State Representative Ken Meyer was elected to a position as State Executive Committeeman in District 10 for the Republican party.
East Ridge’s favorite son, Vince Dean, will serve a second term as the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk, as he ran unopposed.
