Kaye Cope was victorious the second time around.
Cope, a Whitfield County Magistrate judge for the past 28 years, was elected to another four-year term during Tuesday’s runoff. She received 2,279 votes (53.1 percent) compared to challenger Jerry Leonard, who received 2,013 votes (46.9 percent). The results are unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State’s office.
“I’m relieved,” Cope said late Tuesday night.
Cope and Leonard emerged as the top two vote-getters in the four-way nonpartisan election on July 31. Cope received 5,198 votes (47.76 percent) then, missing the 50 percent plus one threshold needed to avoid the runoff. Leonard received 2,362 votes (21.7 percent). Also in the race were Phillip Croy, retired from UPS who received 1,144 votes (10.51 percent), and Don Allen Garrett, director of the Whitfield County Animal Shelter, who received 2,165 votes (19.89 percent).
The runoff finish for Cope and Leonard was much closer than the first vote. Coming into the runoff, Cope said she was “fairly comfortable” she would win.
“You always have that chance; you don’t know what’s going to happen with it,” Cope said. “It was a lot closer than I thought it would be, probably because of the city vote and some of the other boxes that I carried that were large. I mean, there weren’t a lot of people that got out and voted.”
Leonard, who is in the insurance business, said he was disappointed in the outcome since he expected to win.
“We felt we had something to offer the people of Whitfield County,” Leonard said. “Good hard work, a good work ethic and being straight up with folks. We were fighting an uphill battle against a strong incumbent with a lot of city connections. It makes it tough.”
Leonard said he doubted he will run again for elected office. He thanked the citizens who turned out to vote, and also his opponents for running a “clean race.”
Magistrate Court handles civil claims of $15,000 or less, certain misdemeanor criminal offenses, county ordinance violations and some deposit account fraud cases. Judges can issue arrest and search warrants, and the court handles preliminary hearings and summonses.
Local News
August 22, 2012
Cope 'relieved' after runoff victory
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