Challenger Douglas Cross Edges Out Incumbent Bill Durham In Sullivan’s 4th District

By The Continuous News Desk

Published: August 7, 2008

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – Incumbents dominated constable races across the eastern half of Sullivan County on Thursday, but one challenger was able to break through.

In the hotly contested 4th District, challenger Douglas Cross edged incumbent Bill Durham by 55 votes for the third of three available spots. All totals are unofficial until certified by the county Election Commission.

Incumbents David Campbell and Gary Boyd of Blountville received the most votes in the seven-man race, with 604 and 535 votes respectively. Cross finished with 396, while Durham received 341.

Among the other challengers, Mack Glover also finished ahead of the losing incumbent with 379 votes. George Large got 340 votes and Albert Spangler had 169.

In District 1, incumbent Gary Trivett of Bristol, Tenn., emerged from a four-man race, retaining his constable post with 132 votes.

John Brothers received 101 votes in a losing bid, while Alan Linkous got 44 votes and Michael Rutherford received 32.

All three incumbents retained their spots in the greater Bristol area of District 2. James David Leonard received 547, while Charles Greenway got 352 and Ronald Bacon 342.

Challengers Dennis Ley and Tim Monroe received 325 and 288 votes, respectively.

Incumbent L. Tom Godsey, Bristol, Tenn., got 289 votes in an unopposed bid to retain his post.

Voters in District 5 retained incumbent Allen “Bull” Durham of Bluff City and elected challenger Gary William Melvin to the spot formerly held by incumbent Brenda Malone, who didn’t seek re-election.

Durham received 557 votes and Melvin received 444.