Nutt wins Republican sheriff nomination
By Nathan Straus - News Reporter

The results are in for the Republican sheriff nominee runoff election. Ray Nutt is the victor.

What began in the March 4 Primary Elections when frontrunner Ray Nutt and runner up A.W. "Tony" Allison each failed to garner 50 percent of the votes ended April 8 with a victory for the frontrunner.

The final tally scored Nutt at 1,492 votes and Allison at 820 votes.

Mitch Baker, third in the March 4 Republican sheriff elections, put his support toward Nutt. Ronny Brownlow, outgoing sheriff, voiced his support for Allison.

Now the Republican nominee is decided, and Nutt will face Democrat sheriff nominee Bill Casey, unopposed in the primaries, in November.

Nutt said after the runoff he wanted to thank the citizens who supported him in the runoff and the primary.

"We've still got November to go," Nutt added.

Nutt also said his platform for being elected sheriff, and not just nominee, is the same as it has always been.

"I'm going to listen to what people want," Nutt said. "I am not going to change my campaign."

Nutt also said Allison ran a good race in March and April.

Allison voiced his congratulations to Nutt and wished both him and Bill Casey the best of luck for November.

"I am not endorsing anyone for the sheriff position," Allison said on Friday, April 11.

Without the position of sheriff to run for, Allison said he will take this opportunity to step back and evaluate his options and where to go from this point.

Allison also said he would like to thank his supporters for coming out to the polls.

Nutt said his plan is to stay out among the people and make sure everyone knows his goal is to put the focus back on law enforcement.

Finally, Nutt also said he appreciated everyone who voted in the primaries and the runoff, no matter who the people voted for.

"It's how we pick our leaders for public office," Nutt said. "I want to thank everyone who voted, regardless."