<< Back 11/6/02 Democrats take most county board seats SMN Despite months of bitter campaigning by Republican candidates and the ousting of incumbent Republican chairman of commissioners, Harold Corbin, Republican candidates J.B. Coram, Mickey Duvall and Norman Roberts fell to Macon County Democratic commissioner candidates Alan Bryson (incumbent), Jay Dee Shepherd and Bob Simpson. Republican Robbie Holland also beat Tom Pruett Jr. in the sheriff’s race. Unofficial final results in Haywood County have three newcomers joining Democrat Bill Noland and Republican Carlyle Ferguson on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners. Republican Kevin Ensley appears to have slipped past incumbent Democrat Mary Ann Enloe by 70 votes to join Democrats Mark Swanger and Kirk Kirkpatrick on the board. Noland, Ferguson and Kirkpatrick should form a majority to keep the controversial justice center and parking deck on track. Incumbent Democrats Jeff Waldroup and David Monteith will remain on the Swain County board and be joined by fellow Democrats Genevieve Lindsay and David Anthony. Democrat Glenn Jones defeated Republican Linda Hogue for chairman of commissioners. In another Democratic sweep, Brian McMahan, Joe Cowan and Eddie Madden will be joining Stacy Buchanan and Roberta Crawford on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Democrat Jimmy Ashe, who beat incumbent James Cruzan in the primary, won the general election and will be the new sheriff of Jackson County. “I was just happy we had the turnout despite the bad weather and I appreciate the support from individuals and the Democratic Party,” said Kirk Kirkpatrick, who at 33 will be the youngest Haywood commissioner in recent memory. “I have a lot of respect for all the candidates who took a lot of criticism for trying to serve the public. Ashe said he was overwhelmed and gratified at how his bid for the sheriff’s office turned out. “I am absolutely overwhelmed. It is a great feeling,” said Ashe. “I have definite plans for restructuring and reorganizing. I want to make the department more accountable to the public and form close relationships with all the other agencies.”