Decatur County Board of Commissioners Chairman Earl Perry will return to office following results from Tuesday’s primary election.

In the District 4 County Commission Democratic primary, Ted Snell won his race against David R. Cottles. Snell will face Republican Frank Loeffler in the Nov. 2 General Election. November’s winner will replace retiring Commissioner Palmer Rich.

In the County Commission District 1 race between incumbent Perry and challenger David Holt, Perry received 314 votes to Holt’s 194 votes.

Perry, a retired college math professor, said he didn’t hear any criticism while talking with voters in the district, which includes the Attapulgus area.

“I didn’t hear of any complaints other than dirt roads, but that’s to be expected following heavy rains. And that’s limited to a few people,” Perry said.

Holt, an executive with a Tallahassee construction firm, said he thought he put on a good challenge, and he felt proud that he had to make Perry work for his re-election bid.

“I’m sorry I didn’t win because a lot of people voted for me and supported me, and I’m sorry I didn’t win for them,” Holt said.

In the District 4 Democratic primary, Snell won a close race over Cottles, with 173 votes to Cottles’ 120.

“I’m pleased with the outcome,” Snell said. However, he and the other candidates were disappointed in voter turnout, which was less than 25 percent.

Snell, a retired business executive, said the main issue he worked on was increasing the number of jobs in Decatur County. He would also like to see the Downtown Development Authority enhanced, mainly because of the number of empty stores.

Cottles, a local roofer, said his main concern throughout the campaign has been how county money is being spent and what there is to show for it. For example, he questioned why the county spends so much money on motor graders, yet firefighters don’t have the good turnout gear. He also asked why the south side Emergency Medical Services station has never been constructed, even though the county has the land for it.

Statewide races

Mike Thurmond won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. He will face incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson in November.

Coolidge’s Mike Keown won the Republican primary for U.S. Representative for Georgia’s Second District. Keown will have to face off against incumbent Democrat Sanford Bishop of Albany in November.

Former Governor Roy Barnes won the Democratic primary in the race to determine the next governor. In the Republican primary of governor, Karen Handel and Nathan Deal led the pack, but the race was too close to call.

Carol Porter, wife of gubernatorial candidate Dubose Porter of Dublin, captured the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor. She will have to face incumbent Republican Casey Cagle in November,

Brian Kemp had a good lead in the Republican primary for Secretary of State, while Gail Buckner was leading the Democratic primary for that office.

Three Republican candidates for Attorney General were neck-and-neck with eachother, while former Albany District Attorney Ken Hodges captured the Democratic A.G. primary.

The Republican primary for State School Superintendent was also tight, while Joe Martin had a good lead over Beth Farokhi and Brian Westlake in the Democratic primary.

The Republican primary for Insurance Commissioner was too close to call.

Gary Black took the Republican primary for Agriculture Ccommissioner.

Mark Butler won the Republican primary for Labor Commissioner, while the Democratic primary was too close to call.

For complete results, visit sos.georgia.gov