Close Race: Barnett Beats Hartman; Not So Close Race: White Wins Republican Nod For Commission District 5

August 27, 2008

barnettwhite.jpgIn Escambia County’s closest race Tuesday, Jim Barnett won the Democratic nod for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat by just 96 votes over his opponent John Hartman. Barnett will face Republican incumbent Kevin White in November.

White defeated Republican challengers Packy Mitchell, Chris Washler and Randall E. McCrackin. White received 3,654 votes (57.5%), Mitchell 1,668 (26.3%), Washler 541 (8.5%) and McCrackin 491 (7.7%).

But the race was much, much closer for the Democrats. Barnett received 1,668 votes (51.5%), while Hartman was close behind with 1,593 votes (48.5%).

“It was close,” Barnett said Tuesday night, admitting that stopped watching the results for a little bit toward the end before checking NorthEscambia.com. At one point, just six votes separated the two Democratic candidates.

“We’ll just go on from here and see happens next,” Barnett said of the November race against White. “A lot of people are dissatisfied with Kevin (White). The Democratic vote will increase in November, and we will see a change.”

Barnett, who spent nearly the entire day greeting voters at the Molino precinct at Barrieneau Park School, said that Hartman was a formidable opponent that ran a good race.

“I was outspent 10 to one in this race,” Barnett said. “But the voters spoke. I still consider him (Hartman) my friend.”

On the Republican side, incumbent White said of his win simply “I am humbled”.

“The voters in District 5 gave me another chance. That just humbles me,” he said. “I want to thank the voters, and ask that they give me another chance in District 5 with their vote in November.”

NorthEscambia.com was unable to reach Hartman for comment late Tuesday night.

Pictured above: Kevin White (left) and Jim Barnett. 

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News