Bowman, Smith win key primary races in Franklin, Logan Counties

With 97.44% of precincts reporting, Franklin County will see Democrat Rickey Bowman face Independent candidate Joe Flanagan.

In a crowded field of four candidates, Bowman managed to secure 58.57% of the vote in the Democratic primary while his next closest challenger, Road Superintendent Dewayne Freeman, only managed to secure 27.72% in the primary.

Loren Maier got 8.74% of the vote, while Larry Stacy brought up the rear with 4.96%.

Bowman will face Republican Cody Sosebee in the November general election after Sosebee won 55.64% of the vote against Fred Nichols, who only managed 44.36%.

Franklin County also had a contested Democratic primary for county clerk, with De Anna Schmalz pulling out a victory with 67.03% of the vote against Rita Fisher-Wigington, who only had 32.97% of of voter support.

With 100% of the votes counted in Logan County, Steve Smith won the Democratic primary for Sheriff with 62.44% of the vote. Tom Bruce and Charles Pearson received 25.71% and 11.85% of the vote, respectively.

Smith will face off against Boyd Hicks in the November general election. Hicks won 73.58% of the Republican vote Tuesday against Jo Gilliam, who secured 26.42% of the vote.