Hughes County voters made a decisive decision at the polls Tuesday when they chose Amber Walton Jones over Jamie Foster as County Assessor. Jones garnered 811 votes to Foster’s 548, giving her 59.68% of the ballots cast.

Voters in the Holdenville School District failed to pass two school propositions; while both had more yes than no votes, neither reached the 60% of votes required for approval. Proposition 1, to build a gym/auditorium at Ethel Reed Elementary, received 53.92% of votes cast; Proposition 2, for transportation, failed with 59.28% of the votes.

Of more statewide interest, Republicans in both Hughes and Pontotoc County agreed with the majority and chose Kevin Stitt over Mick Cornett as their gubernatorial candidate, and Matt Pinnell for Lieutenant Governor.

Cindy Byrd got the state nod for State Auditor and Inspector on the Republican ballot; she carried Pontotoc voters but Hughes County favored her opponent Charlie Prater.

In a very, very close statewide race for Attorney General’s Republican candidate, Mike Hunter edged out Gentner Drummond with 50.05% to 49.95% of the votes. On a more local level, Hughes County carried Drummond while Pontotoc went with Hunter. The same can be said for the position of Corporation Commissioner with Bob Anthony’s win over Brian Bingham; Pontotoc County agreed but Hughes went with Bingham.

Also on the Republican ballot was Superintendent of Public Instruction which shows Joy Hofmeister will retain the position with 56.68% of the votes over her opponent Linda Murphy; and the Republican candidate for Commissioner of Labor will be Leslie Osborn, 52.35%, over Cathy Costello.

On the Libertarian ballot, Chris Powell won statewide and both countywide counts over his opponent Rex L. Lawhorn.

Democrats chose Ashley Nicole McCray over Blake Cummings for Corporation Commissioner on the statewide count; Pontotoc County also chose McCray but Hughes County went to Cummings.

All election results are unofficial until certifi ed by the State Election Board.