Drakes Branch Supervisor Retains Seat by Close Margin

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE – By a slim margin of 11 votes incumbent Charlotte County Supervisor Garland “Butch” Hamlett, Jr. retained his seat on the board, representing the Drakes Branch District.

Voters turned out to the polls on Tuesday almost electing Hamlett’s opposition, Richard “Rick” Griffith as the new supervisor. Griffith received 34.44 percent of the vote with 125 votes. Hamlett received 37.47 percent with 136 votes.

James R. Napier was also seeking election to the board of supervisors in the Drakes Branch District and received 28.10 percent with 102 votes.

Nan Colley, who ran unopposed, will now serve as the county’s new Clerk of Court. Colley, in her first time seeking the position, received 1,649 votes. There was a total of 22 write-in votes for the position as well. Long-time Clerk of Court Stuart Fallen did not seek reelection.

In other uncontested elections, Sheriff, Thomas Jones: 1,684 votes with 14 write-in votes. Commonwealth’s Attorney, William Green, Jr,: 1,604 votes with nine write-ins. Commissioner of Revenue, Naisha Carter: 1,644 with five write-ins. Treasurer, Patrica Berkeley: 1,661 with four write-in votes; Board of Supervisor – Bacon-Saxe District, Royal Freeman: 336 votes with a total of 3 write-ins. This seat is currently held by Dave Guill who did not seek reelection.  Board of Supervisor – County Seat, Gary Walker: 244 with three write-ins.  Board of Supervisor – Cullen-Red House District, Nancy Carwile 187 votes with seven write-ins. School Board-County Seat- Larry Fannon 254 votes with four write-ins and School Board for the Cullen-Red House District Henry Carwile, Jr. 188 with three write-ins.

The Soil and Water Conservation Directors race was decided by write-in votes, the following candidates received five percent or more of the total votes cast for the office: Davey Ferrell, 135 votes, Eugene Wells Jr., 113 votes, Cornell Goldman, 92 votes and Read Charlton, 27 votes. Winners were Davey Ferrell and Eugene Wells Jr.

Results are considered unofficial until certified by the Charlotte County Voter Registrar’s Office.