Karleen Ferguson, a former Gilmer County commissioner, will return to the board next year following the June 18 runoff election.
Formerly a Post 2 commissioner, Ferguson won the runoff for Post 1 commissioner, which resulted from the May 21 primary election. She and fellow Post 1 candidate Doug Rink received the most votes in the primary, but neither had the 50 percent plus one vote majority needed to avoid a runoff.
According to the Gilmer registrar’s office’s unofficial election summary, Ferguson received 1,811 votes in the runoff, and Rink received 1,456 votes. The official, certified numbers were not available by press time.
Of the county’s 23,021 total voters, 14.2 percent (3,270) voted in the election. Post 1 commissioner was the only item on the ballot.
In a statement, Ferguson said, “I want to thank everyone who came out to vote during this election. Making your voice heard is so very important during an election. I am honored to be able to serve this community again as a post commissioner. Thank you to those that voted for me and put your trust in me. To those that didn’t vote my way, I hope that I can gain your trust over the next four-and-a-half years. We are a very blessed community with men and women of great integrity and strong character in elected positions serving our community. They have no other agenda except for to help make Gilmer County a great place to live and raise a family. Be sure to thank them when you see them. A kind word goes a long way!”
Ferguson will appear as a lone candidate on the November presidential election ballot before starting the Post 1 term in January.