Moore County voters choose Blackburn, pass sales tax measure

Moore County voters approved all three proposed constitutional amendments and narrowly supported a sales and use tax referendum in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial results released by the Moore County Election Commission.

The local sales and use tax referendum received 1,185 votes in favor and 1,082 against, a margin of 103 votes. Of the 2,267 votes cast on the question, 52.3% favored the measure and 47.7% opposed it. The .25 sales tax increase had failed during earlier referendums; however, a major canvassing by local leaders who were in support of the passage helped get the measure over the hump.

Meanwhile, all three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution won majority support in Moore County and across the state. Amendment 1 received 1,653 yes votes and 403 no votes. Amendment 2 received 1,744 yes votes and 492 no votes. Amendment 3 received 1,899 yes votes and 317 no votes.

In the governor’s race, Republican Marsha Blackburn led the county with 1,490 votes, followed by Democrat Jerri Green with 508. Independent David Hatley received 271 votes, Lauren Pinkston 27 and the remaining candidates and write-ins smaller totals. Blackburn won election to the governor’s seat but by a much closer margin state-wide as Blackburn got 45% to 43% for Green. Independent David Hatley did not get double digit support as he finished with 9%.

Republican Bill Hagerty received 1,791 votes in the U.S. Senate contest, compared with 475 for Democrat Marquita Bradshaw. Independent Robert Jones received 11 votes, Tharon Chandler 10 and other candidates and write-ins fewer votes. Hagerty won reelection as U.S. Senate state-wide with 55% to 43% for Bradshaw.

In the near re-drawn U.S. House District 9 contest, Republican Brent Taylor received 1,746 votes, Democrat Justin J. Pearson received 479, independent Dennis Clark received 42 and independent Michelle Davis Head received 14. Four write-in votes were reported. The new district runs from Lynchburg to downtown Memphis. Brent Taylor won by just over 2,000 votes.

For Tennessee House District 62, Republican Pat Marsh received 1,679 votes and Democrat Brieanna L. Akers received 434. Three write-in votes also were recorded. Marsh won reelection state-wide with 72% of the vote.

The election commission revealed 2,354 ballots were cast across the county’s contests, including 1,390 early-voting ballots, 903 Election Day ballots and 61 absentee ballots.

Duane Sherrill
Duane Sherrill
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