The dreadfully low turnout on Tuesday for Hamilton County's Democratic and Republican primary elections was foreseeable, but dispiriting nonetheless. Fewer than 18,000 voters, or a bit more than 8 percent of the county's 207,858 registered voters, cast an early ballot or went to the polls on Election Day. Even so, the vote -- by a disheartening minority of voters -- heralded significant changes in the composition of the County Commission and a change in leadership in one of the county's major elective offices.
Bill Hullander easily outpolled incumbent Carl Levi in the Republican primary in the Hamilton County trustee's race. Mr. Hullander is effectively guaranteed office. He will not face opposition in the August general election . Mr. Hullander, who gave up his District 9 commission seat to challenge Mr. Levi, campaigned vigorously, telling voters that he could run the trustee's office more efficiently, more economically and in a more citizen-friendly manner than Mr. Levi. Voters obviously took that message to heart.
Keep promises, broaden view
Mr. Hullander's task when he assumes office will be to keep promises made in the election campaign become fact. He'll also have to broaden his outlook. As commissioner, he represented both district residents and the county as a whole, though the bulk of his attention was directed to the sometimes parochial interests of the district. The trustee's office requires a more open-minded outlook.
In the other countywide race, incumbent Mayor Claude Ramsey coasted to victory over Republican opponents Basil Marceaux Sr. and Richard Rankin. The primary triumph does not guarantee Mr. Ramsey another term. He still must defeat Richard D. Ford, an independent, in the Aug. 5 general election.
Mr. Hullander's departure from the commission created a wide open Republican primary among equally conservative candidates to succeed him. Chester Bankston, currently a member of the Hamilton County School Board, won a clear majority of votes, defeating Gary W. Neil, Richard Tornquist and John C. Turner for the nomination. The nomination is tantamount to election. Mr. Bankston faces no opposition in August.
Successor to Adams
In District 9, the other commission race without an incumbent, Tim Boyd defeated Jack M. Martin in the Republican primary. Mr. Boyd, a staunch conservative, will face Kenny Smith, a current member of the Hamilton County Board of Education, who had no opposition in the Democratic primary as well as James E. (Jim) Winters and William T. (Terry) Turner, both independents, in August. The winner of what promises to be a heated contest will succeed Curtis Adams on the commission.
One other incumbent -- Richard Casavant of District 2 -- will not return to the County Commission, though that decision was made by voters rather than the officeholder. Mr. Casavant, whose experience and broad view of county issues will be missed, was defeated in the Republican primary by Jim Fields, an energetic political newcomer and strict conservative whose triumph has to be regarded as a surprise. Mr. Fields still has one hurdle to overcome before taking office. He will face independent David W. Cantrell in August.
Incumbents rule
There was less drama in other races for County Commission seats. Incumbents generally ruled on Election Day.
In District 1, Fred Skillern easily turned back challenger Laura M. Oakley in the Republican primary. He'll keep his seat. He has no opposition in the August election. Jim Coppinger of District 3 will return to office, too. He had no opposition in Tuesday's Republican primary and has no opponent in the general election.
In both District 4 and District 5, incumbent Democrats easily won primary races and are assured of retaining their posts. Neither Warren Mackey in District 4 nor Greg Beck in District 5 face general election opposition. Mr. Mackey easily defeated Debbie Gaines, whose name appeared on the ballot though she had withdrawn her candidacy. Mr. Beck outpolled the the Rev. Bernie Miller, a repeat challenger who once sought the same post as a Republican.
In District 6, neither John Allen Brooks, the incumbent and a Democrat, nor Joe Graham, a Republican, had primary opposition. They'll face off in the August election. In District 7, incumbent Larry Henry beat Gordon L. Anderson in the Republican primary. He has no opposition in the August election.
Experienced panel
The August election will determine the final makeup and political outlook of the incoming County Commission, but with Mr. Skillern, Mr. Coppinger, Mr. Mackey, Mr. Beck and Mr. Henry certain to return and the addition of Mr. Bankston, the prospects for an experienced, albeit conservative, commission are good. Given the positive momentum in county affairs and the prospects for a bright future, it is imperative that voters take far greater interest in the August elections than they did in the just concluded primary. Perhaps they will.
An expanded ballot that includes county races not contested Tuesday, a high-profile congressional race and campaigns for governor should attract attention. If it does not, those important elections, like those Tuesday, likely will be determined by a minority of voters.