Beech Tree News Network

           Tim Flener cruised to victory Tuesday night as a "Red" wave appeared to be in full force across Butler County.  Flener, a Republican, defeated Democrat Mark Mudd by a margin of 2,056 votes.  With all local precincts reporting, Flener tallied 3,420 votes (71.49 %) to 1,364 for Mudd (28.51%).  Flener carried all 12 precincts in the county.  Approximately 50 percent of registered voters in Butler County cast ballots on Tuesday. 

            Tim Flener was excited after his big win. 

            "Butler County, there isn’t enough words to express to each of you how blessed you have made me and my family feel," said Flener via a Facebook post on his campaign page.  "I want to say a huge thank you to each of you. This past year has been amazing! Looking forward to working for each of you." 

            Mark Mudd was gracious in defeat.

            "I'll never be able to repay the loyal supporters of the Mudd for Judge Campaign. Sincere thanks to all of you," said Mudd, through his Facebook page.  "Congratulations to Tim Flener on his victory tonight. I wish the best for him, his family, and all of Butler County. Blessings." 

            In the Second District, Republican Kevin Phelps defeated Democrat Josh Hampton, 858 to 257. 

            In the Third District, Republican Timmy Givens, a former magistrate, defeated Democrat Daryl Dockery, 609 to 451. 

            Phelps and Givens will join newcomer Dillon Bryant (Fifth District) and incumbents Stevie Givens (First District) and David Whittinghill (Fourth District) on the new Butler County Fiscal Court, which will be sworn in come January 2019. 

            Eight candidates were vying for six seats on Morgantown City Council.  The winners were incumbents Sharon Johnson (373), Russell Givens (363), Dustin Embry (357), Sterling White (352), Jason Gaskey (329), and Dionne Cannon Merritt (308).  Merritt secured the sixth spot with a six-vote margin.  Ronald Givens finished with 302 votes.  Todd Meredith tallied 194 votes.  City council races are considered non-partisan.  

            In other races, incumbent U.S Representative Brett Guthrie, incumbent state Senator C.B. Embry Jr. and Steve Sheldon (open seat-17th District State Representative), all Republicans, cruised to victory in Butler County and across their respective districts.  Guthrie garnered 3,839 votes (Hank Linderman 749, Thomas A. Loecken 70); Embry had 3,973 votes (Crystal Chappell 767) and Sheldon finished 3,673 (Malcolm Cherry 1,015). 

            There was one constitutional amendment on the ballot - Marsy's Law (pertaining to victims' rights) passed by a narrow margin in Butler County, 2,086 and 1,977.  The amendment also passed statewide but it is facing legal challenges. 

            Election results also show that 1,784 Butler County Republicans (84.51%) voted a straight party ticket as compared to 327 Democrats (15.49%) who cast a straight party ticket. 

            Results can also be view on the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at the following link: 

https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/KY/Butler/92013/217437/Web01/en/summary.html