Greg Elkins elected 4th District magistrate, Blackburn wins by 2

Published 8:30 am Wednesday, May 23, 2018

One Clark County magistrate kept his seat Tuesday while another came within two votes of losing hers.

Long-time district 2 magistrate Pamela Blackburn barely held on to her seat after a close challenge by Kevin Warner, who was just a pair of votes behind.

Warner said he plans to ask for a recanvass of the totals in his race.

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“We had people going to the precincts (to check the posted results),” Warner said. “We had it as we were up by six votes.”

Clark County Clerk Michelle Turner said candidates have seven days following an election or primary to request a recanvass. Kentucky law allows for a recanvass, in which election officials review the voting machine records and verify the results without reopening the machines, at no cost to the candidates.

“What do you say when it’s two votes?” Warner said. “You’re head to head.”

Blackburn did not respond to messages Tuesday night.

Greg Elkins held onto his fourth district seat Tuesday, defeating challenger Kenneth Anderson by nearly 100 votes, 228-135. Elkins was appointed to the seat after Matt Brinegar resigned in December 2016.

There was no Democrat challenger in the race.

“It feels really good,” Elkins said Tuesday night. “It’s invigorating. I’m humbled and proud at the same time.”

The margin of victory, 62,81 percent to 37.19, was not expected.

“That was as a surprise to me as anyone,” Elkins said. “I know I worked very hard. I enjoyed knocking on doors. I put my heart into it. I feel like I connected with the people of the fourth district.”

In other magisterial districts, James Nisbet defeated Michael Hack in the Republican primary for the sixth district seat, 150-95. Nisbet will face incumbent Robert Blanton this fall.

Former state rep. Don Pasley won the Democratic primary for the third district seat, outscoring Mike Sosby 443-368. Pasley will run against incumbent Joe Graham in the general election.

There were no primaries for the first or fifth magisterial districts. Incumbent Republican Daniel Konstantopoulos and Democrat David Weistroffer are running for the first district seat, while incumbent Democrat Sheila McCord and Republican Christopher Davis are seeking the fifth district post.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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