Former ATF agent Larry Smith and former Texas Game Warden Chris Green will square off in a runoff July 31 following Tuesday’s results in the race for Smith County Sheriff.

Smith remained in the lead in with 44 percent of the vote (12,143) followed by Chris Green’s 37 percent (10,353).

Chief Smith County Deputy Bobby Garmon, who worked second-in-command to retiring sheriff J.B. Smith, garnered 4,678 votes, or 18 percent. Deputy constable Donn Rust received 366 votes, or 1.4 percent.

In other races, incumbent Leo Berman, R-Tyler, was denied his eighth term for state representative for District 6, losing to challenger Matt Schaefer. Schaefer received 11,138 votes (58 percent) and Berman 8,172 (42 percent).

Longtime Smith County Constable Dennis Taylor lost to challenger Kenneth Bibby in Precinct No. 5. Bibby  garnered 72 percent of the vote (3,067) to Taylor’s 28 percent ( 1,179).

A runoff will be held for Smith County Constable, Precinct No. 3 between Jim Blackmon and Scott McAuley.

Voters will also decide July 31 the Smith County Commissioners post for Precinct No. 3 between Terry Phillips and Ronnie Pilcher.

Smith County election officials said Tuesday’s voter turnout was heavy. More than 13 million Texans registered to vote in the  primary elections.

 

 

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