Election Day Results – Austin’s Daily Commentary

Austin Rhodes: Lots to cover from last night. Let's get right down to it. A majority of Richmond County voters have said no to Richard Roundtree. This is huge news. The embattled sheriff is going to be in a runoff June 18th against, Gino Rock Brantley. I can't tell you how encouraged I am that the voters of Augusta-Richmond County have come together to tell their horrible sheriff that it's time for him to go.

Still, a lot of work to do. The runoff is still ahead, and we'll see what happens there. But again, the runoff for Richard Roundtree is a very, very, good sign, I think, for the voters of Augusta- Richmond County, and all of us who are affected by crime and punishment in Richmond County.

Very sad that Amber Brantley did not do better in her challenge against D.A. Incumbent Jared Williams. I'll say the same thing about Williams that have said about Roundtree for the last 12 years. I've always been right in telling you that that is a substandard person in a very important position.

I'm sorry that Amber could not get a little more leeway there, but she was running against a very powerful and very wealthy campaign, and she did a good job. God bless her. The people who made a mistake leaving her behind.

When it comes to the Augusta City Commission, man, you talking about addition last night? Not only did they pick up a great new representative in Tina Slendak, Catherine Smith was also returned to the slate as well in District Three. But DC Clark's election over Bobby Williams, you take away the commission's biggest negative.

You give them a great positive. You combine that with the mayor getting a vote in all city commission business yesterday, and you end up with one of the most historic and important elections in recent local history for the city of Augusta. I think it is a huge move. Very, very happy for the city and all that this portends.

In Columbia County, Trey Allen returns to the Columbia County Commission. That is a great piece of news. Mike Caraway easily, also assuming a seat. That's also a wonderful development. The Board of Education in Columbia County, very interesting upset, Katie Allen defeating Leanne Meyer. And that's that same Fourth District that we saw a couple years ago send Allison Couch in to replace incumbent Dewey Gallus.

Obviously, that's a Columbia County Commission seat, not a Board of Education seat, but it's the same district.And let's see if Katie ends up being more like Allison Couch than maybe some folks would expect. Allison came in full of vim and vinegar and, just all kinds of, call for change.

And she has become a very steady voice and a team player, very well respected and enjoyed by her fellow commissioners. Let's see what happens with Katie Allen on the Board of Education. Should be very interesting.

Congratulations to Clay Smith, your new Lincoln County sheriff. That's something to be very excited and happy about. Longtime Columbia County Command staffer, under Clay Whittle. Clay Smith is your new sheriff of Lincoln County.

And finally, Andrew Pinson, the Supreme Court justice, who was on my show yesterday. He wins with 55% of the vote over John Barrow. A very interesting race. That right there, that 55/45 I think is going to be your Donald Trump margin of victory in Georgia. That's where the conservatives in Georgia sit right this minute. 55/45 over the liberals. Let's see how it works out.

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