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City council primary eliminates two
Rob Siebert/Senior City Reporter
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
Incumbent Larry Rennels received the most votes in Tuesday's city council primary election.
Rennels received 385 votes, which amounts to 30.4 percent of the votes cast.
"I really appreciate the confidence that the voters put in me," Rennels said after the votes were tallied.
65 votes behind Rennels was Jeff Lahr, who with 320, received 25.2 percent of the votes.
Just behind Lahr was Tim Newell, with 317 votes (25 percent).
The race for the fourth spot in the primary was closely contested. In the end, T.K. Slaughter secured it with 91 votes (7.2 percent).
Jenny Keefe received 77 votes (6.1 percent), and Terry Beason received 72 votes (5.7 percent).
Beason and Keefe are now exempt from the general election, which will be held on April 17.
Out of 10, 453 registered voters, only 684 participated in this year's primary. That amounts to 6.5 percent of possible voters.
As two seats on the council are being contested, voters were asked to select two candidates.
Last week, Rennels expressed concern over the turnout, as the council election was the only item on the ballot, and when only one item is up for decision, residents are less likely to vote.
County Clerk Sue Rennels said that city council primaries rarely see a great deal of votes. She added that the lack of turnout is frustrating at times, considering the money that goes into elections.
Sue Rennels expects elections in 2008 to provide a much better turnout, as presidential elections usually prompt people to vote.
All of Charleston's 16 precincts participated in the election. Two voters also came from the town of Hutton, which houses part of the city's lake island tract.
Rennels received 385 votes, which amounts to 30.4 percent of the votes cast.
"I really appreciate the confidence that the voters put in me," Rennels said after the votes were tallied.
65 votes behind Rennels was Jeff Lahr, who with 320, received 25.2 percent of the votes.
Just behind Lahr was Tim Newell, with 317 votes (25 percent).
The race for the fourth spot in the primary was closely contested. In the end, T.K. Slaughter secured it with 91 votes (7.2 percent).
Jenny Keefe received 77 votes (6.1 percent), and Terry Beason received 72 votes (5.7 percent).
Beason and Keefe are now exempt from the general election, which will be held on April 17.
Out of 10, 453 registered voters, only 684 participated in this year's primary. That amounts to 6.5 percent of possible voters.
As two seats on the council are being contested, voters were asked to select two candidates.
Last week, Rennels expressed concern over the turnout, as the council election was the only item on the ballot, and when only one item is up for decision, residents are less likely to vote.
County Clerk Sue Rennels said that city council primaries rarely see a great deal of votes. She added that the lack of turnout is frustrating at times, considering the money that goes into elections.
Sue Rennels expects elections in 2008 to provide a much better turnout, as presidential elections usually prompt people to vote.
All of Charleston's 16 precincts participated in the election. Two voters also came from the town of Hutton, which houses part of the city's lake island tract.
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