In a night of close calls, the Boyle County jailer’s race was one of the closest. In the end, Democrat Brian Wofford pulled out the victory, defeating Republican LeeRoy Hardin by just 26 votes out of 10,670 cast. Wofford earned 5,348 votes to Hardin’s 5,322.

Wofford is currently the deputy jailer who was running to take over for current Democratic Jailer Barry Harmon, who did not run for re-election. Hardin was formerly the Boyle County sheriff.

“It was closer than I wanted it to be,” Wofford said. “I’m grateful for everyone, the Democrats and the Republicans that chose me. I’m thankful that the Republican Party didn’t pull the straight ticket.”

Wofford said campaigning was “a great experience … but I’m glad it’s finished.”

Gibson wins PVA race

In another county-wide race with no incumbent on the ballot, Democrat Lacresha “My” Gibson beat challenger Brian Darnell in the race for Boyle County property valuation administrator. Gibson has worked in the PVA office under current Democratic PVA Eddie Tamme for 20 years. Tamme did not run for re-election this year.

Gibson won by 863 votes; she had 5,745 votes to Darnell’s 4,882.

“It was closer than I thought,” Gibson said, adding that she thought the Democrats would have supported her more. “My opponent worked a hard race, honestly. I have to give him that.”

“We worked hard, my whole crew,” she said. “I’m just so excited.”