A total of 22,292 citizens in Angelina County voted in the 2006 General Election held last Tuesday - a turnout that pleased election officials.
Wayne Hardy, who served as early voting election judge at the Diboll sub-courthouse said, "This is the biggest turnout I've seen in quite a few years. Usually, we have anywhere from 90 - 100 total voters come in to vote, but this year, we had 142 voters the first day." The site in Diboll recorded over 400 voters during the four-day run.
Two hot items on the ballot were Proposition 1 which would allow the sale of beer and wine to be sold over the counter for off-premise consumption; and Proposition 2 would permit restaurants to serve patrons mixed drinks in their eateries without a membership, passed despite much opposition. Voters approved both as Proposition 1 passed by a vote of 11,686 to 9,877 while Proposition 2 passed with 12,284 for and 9,152 against.
Not since 1936, will Angelina County residents have the opportunity to purchase beer and/or wine at local establishments. Even though the county was dry, restaurants have been able to serve drinks with a membership only permit, and will now be able to do so by simply changing their permits.
A representative from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission was on hand at the Lufkin City Hall the next day to explain the process of obtaining permits to stock beer and wine to over 80 prospective business owners or their representatives in the Angelina County area.
Other election results include local attorney Bob Inselmann with 10,887 votes, defeating incumbant Lisa Burkhalter by only 93 votes. Burkhalter received 10,794 votes in the race for County court-at-law judge, no. 1 position.
District 12 State Representative Jim McReynolds will retain his seat, receiving 11,964 votes while challenger Jody Anderson received 9,395 votes.
Former Diboll police officer, Wes Suiter, received a total of 12,703 votes or 58.74% for Angelina County Judge while local attorney Johnny Weismuller received 8,922 or 41.26% of the vote. Suiter won the count total by winning 30 of the 38 voting outlets throughout the county.
Lynn George was re-elected to his Precinct 4 commissioner's post over challenger Scott Cooper by a 52.39% to 47.61% vote.
In other races throughout the state U. S. Senator candidate, and incumbent Kay Bailey Hutchison received 61.64% of the votes; U. S. Representative, District 1 Incumbent Louis Gohmert with 68.01% of the votes; Governor Rick Perry was re-elected by 39.09% of the votes. His closest challenger, Chris Bell, received 29.76%.
Incumbent David Dewhurst was re-elected with 58.26% of the vote.
Also receiving the nod from voters were: Attorney General Greg Abbott; Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs; Commissioner of the General Land Office Jerry Patterson; Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples and Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones.
RSS Feed
