CLARKESVILLE — Habersham County voters on Tuesday elected Shelley A. Tullis in District 2 and Danny McClellon in District 3, closing out contested Board of Commissioners races in the May 19 primary.
According to the Habersham County Board of Elections Office, 9083 total votes were cast in Habersham County for a turnout of 28.73%.
District 2: Tullis defeats former commissioner Harper
Shelley A. Tullis defeated former Commissioner Andrea Harper in the race to replace outgoing District 2 Commissioner Dustin Mealor.
Tullis received 4,052 votes (58.50%) to Harper’s 2,874 (41.50%).
Tullis said she was glad the campaign remained positive from start to finish.
“I’m glad it’s over. It was a good, clean race. I’m happy that we kept it that way,” Tullis said. “We (she and Harper) were friends before, and I hope we stay friends afterwards. And, like I say, I wish her the best, and I hope she still stays involved.”
Harper also reflected positively on the campaign despite the loss.
“Honestly, I feel like I’ve dodged a bullet in some ways, but she ran a good race. I think we both ran a good race. It was a nice clean race, you know,” Harper said. “We were friends before, and we’re still friends. I’m very proud of her. I think she did a really good job, and I wish her the best.”
When asked what she plans to do next, Harper said she is looking forward to time at home.
“I’m going to tend to the plants in my garden,” she said.
District 3: McClellon wins both regular and special election
In District 3, Danny McClellon defeated Jason M. Smith in both a regularly scheduled election and a special election to fill the remaining seven months of former Commissioner Jimmy Tench’s term.
In the regular election, McClellon earned 3,892 votes (56.78%) to Smith’s 2,962 (43.22%). In the special election, McClellon received 4,432 votes (56.80%) to Smith’s 3,371 (43.20%).
McClellon said his focus will be on representing constituents directly.
“I’m just here to work for the people,” McClellon said. “I mean, this election wasn’t about me. Basically just whatever the folks down here — the majority of them — want, that’s the way I’m going to vote. So this is for them and not any other special interest or anything.”
Smith said he had hoped for a different outcome but wished McClellon well.
“I wish it would turn out different, and I really thought I’d do some good for the county with my experience and stuff,” Smith said. “But voters have spoken, and I’m certain Danny will do a good job, and I wish the best luck to him. Just encourage him to study everything that comes before him and make good decisions.”
Smith said he plans to spend more time with family and continue civic involvement.
“My daughter’s getting married Saturday, and I can spend more time with some of my other endeavors, as far as Scouts and the VFW,” Smith said. “I continue to work with the county and try to do the best I can. I’m still on the planning commission, so I can still help in that role and absolutely with the county.”
He added that he intends to continue engineering-related work with the county in a capacity that avoids conflicts tied to his former commission seat.
An unusual turnout note
A review of the results shows a notable difference in total vote counts between the District 3 regular election and the special election held on the same ballot, despite nearly identical percentages between the two races.
