Lange wins run-off election for County Sheriff office

Thursday, 23 August 2012 by Matthew Girard

An unexpected high number of voters made their voices heard on Tuesday during the Bell County Republican Primary run-off election.

Nearly 14,000 votes were cast during the election, in which three run-offs were central to the future of Bell County.

In the race for the Republican nomination for Sheriff, Eddy Lange (7,524 votes) defeated Bob Patterson (6,124 votes) with 55 percent of the vote.

Lange will now face Democratic candidate Frank Hernandez Sr. in November.

Patterson said he was hoping for different results, but was supportive of the voters choice.

"We are obviously disappointed it went that way," Patterson said. "But that's why we have elections in this country, so voters can cast their ballots for who they want their leaders to be.

"We ran our campaign, from the strategies that we employed to the ethical manner in which we conducted ourselves, we're happy."

In the District Judge 146th Judicial District race, Jack Jones (7,626 votes) won the nomination over Mary Black Pearson (5,890 votes) with 56 percent of the vote.

"It's an indication of the kind of support that we've had," Jones said. "I've had such tremendous support throughout the campaign. It tells me that I have a responsibility to live up to. I fully intend to do everything I can to fulfill their expectations."

In the race for County Commission, Precint No. 3, Bill Schumann (2,828 votes) came out on top in a narrow race over Marty Janczak (2,703 votes) with 51 percent of the vote.

Both Jones and Patterson said the were pleased with the voter turn out for the run-off elections.

"The biggest reason, I believe, is that you had three local races that were hotly contested by very competitive candidates that all had lots of support," Jones said. "That drove people out. People in Bell County care, they get involved and they want to be involved in the process."

Patterson agreed.

"You want to see the voters engaged and choosing who their leaders are," Patterson said. "It's a very positive thing."

For complete run-off election results, visit www. Bellcountytx.com.

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