EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. – Unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election showed incumbents holding serve in two of the county’s highest-profile races, while a Guyton City Council contest was decided by just five votes.
In the Republican primary for the Effingham County Commission District 2 seat, incumbent Roger Burdette defeated challenger Michelle Payne, 942 votes to 723.
Burdette will advance to the November general election, where he will face Democrat Darlene L. Ainsworth.
In the nonpartisan race for the Effingham County Board of Education District 1 seat, incumbent Lynn Anderson defeated challenger Daulton Kerry-Herbert Harris, 1,391 votes to 652.
The closest contest of the night came in the nonpartisan special election for Guyton City Council Post 2, where Mary Ellen Connely-Woods edged Hursula Wallace Pelote by five votes.
Laura Bassett, Effingham County’s director of elections, said the results remain unofficial until the Board of Elections certifies the election during its meeting May 26.
Bassett said 6,819 voters cast ballots in the election, representing 22.6% of the county’s registered voters.
“We didn’t set any records,” Bassett said, “but I’m pleased. The turnout was comparable to the 2022 primary election.”
Statewide primary races were still being tabulated Tuesday night. Check the Georgia Secretary of State’s election results page for the latest results.
