Jones County voters have spoken, if perhaps not boldly, with less than 24 percent turnout county-wide, in Tuesday’s primary election.

The incumbents did not fare well in the July 15 primary with challengers defeating two of the three opposed in the primary. Tommy Robinson received 563 votes to incumbent Mell Merritt’s 241 in County Commission District Three, and Alfred Pitts captured 444 votes to Willie Fluellen’s 359 for Board of Education District Two.

Commissioner Larry Childs had no problem holding onto his District One seat, however, with a vote of 345 to challenger Greg Becham’s 145.

The White voting precinct, smallest in Jones County, once again led the county in voter percentage with 88 out of 278 registered voters casting their ballots for a total of 31.65 percent. Roberts, one of the county’s largest precincts, had the lowest turnout with 11.06 percent.

The Board of Education’s District Two race between Fluellen and Pitts was the most hotly contested with a margin of 85 votes. Supporters of the candidates worked up to the last minute spending Tuesday afternoon on the sidewalks near the precincts encouraging voters to cast their ballots for their respective candidates while on their way to the polls.

Childs, Becham, and Fluellen came to the elections office Tuesday evening to find out the results, while the other three opted to remain at home.

After seeing the results, Becham said the campaign was a positive experience and he will try again.

“It was a little bit better than I expected,” he said. “This is just a start.”

Childs said he feels good about the results but wishes more people had come out to vote. He said he thinks more would vote if the commissioners could run non-partisan and all the elections were in November.

“I’m looking forward to the next four years. The county is a work in progress,” he commented.

The commissioner said he is most proud of his district’s new Liberty Park and the county’s purchase of the new industrial park.

“I thank the voters for their continued support,” he said.

Childs and Becham shook hands after the votes were tallied.

“I appreciate the good, clean campaign you ran,” Childs said to his opponent. “I thank you for that. There are really no losers. When you campaign, you meet a lot of nice people, and you don’t forget them.”

Willie Fluellen conceded the race after the majority of the votes were counted. He said he felt privileged to have served the people of District Two for 21 years.

“The technology we have is superb. We are teaching students what will be used in the 21st century. It’s not easy for students. Third- and fourth-grade students are being taught what ninth-graders were taught in my day, but that’s necessary to compete. We are no longer thinking nationally; we have to teach these students to compete in the world,” Fluellen said.

He said he is proud of what the board has accomplished and has no regrets.

“Everything is for the students. I congratulate Mr. Pitts for the campaign he ran. If I can do anything to help him, the school board or the county, I’m always available,” he said.

Pitts was at home recovering from surgery he underwent the week before. He said the election results rejuvenated him. He said he has nothing but respect for Fluellen.

“I think its time to make some changes, and I felt the people would make a good selection,” Pitts said.

He said education has to be first, and he feels his experience will be a real advantage for the school system.

“I hope teachers understand that someone will be on the board that understands them and will listen to their concerns. I’m sticking to the platform I’ve held during my campaign — it’s all about the children and preparing them for the future,” he stated. “My main objective is to have the best school system we can have and follow in the footsteps of the founders of the system.”

Merritt said he congratulates Robinson, and he appreciates the support he received during his time in office.

“I did the best I could during the campaign, and I will continue to do my best for the final six months of my term,” he said. “I wish Mr. Robinson the best and will help him in any way I can.”

Robinson said he feels very humble by the showing of support he received.

“So many people worked hard on my behalf, and I am grateful. My family and friends, especially my wife, worked so very hard, and I give the glory to the Lord,” he said.

Robinson said he had no expectations about the final results and had placed the contest in the Lord’s hands.

“I decided early on that it would be His will. I got such a blessing from the campaign, meeting all the people and going to all their houses; it was an overwhelming blessing to me,” he said.

Robinson said he plans to get to work catching up on county issues from now until he is sworn in to be ‘ahead of the game’ when he takes office in January. He said he looks forward to getting to work for the district and the county.

He also said he appreciated the call from Merritt.

“I already thought a lot of him and respected him, but his call just proved he was a gentleman,” Robinson concluded.