Close races kept candidates and onlookers on the edges of their seats Tuesday evening as Randolph County voters ousted two incumbents — Circuit Judge John Henning and County Commissioner Voras Haynes — and turned down the school levy during the Primary Election.


The first 20 precincts arrived quickly and Elkins attorney Phil Isner received a steady stream of returns to read to the crowd.


Jaymie Godwin Wilfong defeated Henning and challenger Frank Bush to win the circuit court judge seat by a narrow margin. Unofficial totals for the race are Wilfong, 2,943 votes; Henning, 2,874 votes; and Bush, 978 votes. Haynes was defeated by Chris See, who won with 67.24 percent of the votes. Both are Democrats and no Republicans are on the ballot for the General Election.


The circuit judge race was close throughout the night and Wilfong kept track of the results precinct by precinct. As the totals were announced, Wilfong sat with her parents, Joe and Janet Godwin, and her husband, Matt Wilfong. When the final total was read, she smiled and then hugged her husband. Her parents could hardly believe the results.


“It’s too close for comfort, but we’ll take it,” Joe Godwin said.


Facing no opposition in the November General Election, Wilfong will become the first female circuit judge in Randolph County.


“I am very excited,” Wilfong said. “I am so honored that the voters of Randolph County have chosen me as the next circuit court judge. I have really enjoyed the campaign. I have enjoyed the time I have spent getting to know the voters and look forward to that continued relationship the next several years.”


As for the close vote, Wilfong said she “knew it would be very close. I was running against two very respectable men and they are well known in the community. We all three ran a very good, honest race. The voters have spoken and they want a change.”


Henning was not at the courthouse to hear the returns.


“I am disappointed, but I wish my best for Randolph County,” Henning said in a phone conversation following the tally of results.


When just two precincts remained, Haynes conceded to See.


“I would like to congratulate Chris See, he has ran a real clean campaign and we have gotten along real well,” Haynes said. “It looks like this is what the people want.”


Commission President Julia Elbon remained hopeful of the commission’s future.


“It’s always been a very cooperative County Commission and we hope to continue that atmosphere,” Elbon said.


“I would like to thank all the citizens of Randolph County for the votes,” See said. “I will do the best I can for them.”


The excess levy call put forth to voters by the Randolph County Board of Education failed by 557 votes. Bruce Haddix and Harvey Taylor will both take seats on the board on July 1.


Although Taylor was not the second highest vote getter, he is automatically selected to serve because the board of education must have at least one member from each district. He was the only candidate from the Tygart District.


Haddix was the top vote getter of all candidates and will represent Cheat District.


Throughout the evening, Haddix chatted with voters and kept a check on returns. He shared a close vote with board candidate Denise Campbell. In the end, Haddix won the seat by 171 votes.


“It’ll be an honor to serve on the school board,” Haddix said. “I’ve been an educator so I realize there’s a big responsibility with the school system.”


Haddix expressed disappointment in the failure of the levy, saying while it will be a challenge to come up with the funds to make improvements to the county schools he’s willing “to give it a try.”


Current Randolph County Magistrate Michele Good won a close race in Randolph County to secure the seat as Family Court Judge of the 22nd Circuit. Good defeated David Hart by 244 votes in Randolph County. The circuit also covers Tucker County. There is no Republican candidate for the General Election.


In Randolph County, Good received 3,378 votes and David Hart took in 3,134 votes.


“I am thrilled and honored to be chosen as the family court judge for the 22nd District,” Good said. “It was a race between two qualified candidates. I would like to thank anyone who supported me in any way they could. I am excited to get settled in.”


In the Democratic bid for prosecuting attorney, Richard Busch took in 3,351 votes to defeat Dwight Hall, who had 3,031 votes. Busch will face Republican candidate James Hawkins in the General Election. Hawkins was unopposed in the primary and received 1,050 votes.


As the results came in, Busch said waiting was “half nerve racking and half anxiousness. It’s like being a kid and waiting to open your presents on Christmas morning.”


After the final results were read, Busch said, “I appreciate the confidence that has been expressed by the voters in Randolph County. I will do my best in this campaign over the summer to fulfill the obligations I have made. I want to help this county, I want to make this county a better and safer place. This is my first step in doing so. It was in the hands of someone bigger than me and Mr. Hall. It was in the hands of the voters.”


“Congratulations to Mr. Busch. It was a close race, but he ended up with more votes,” Hall said.


All six candidates from the Primary — three Democrats and three Republicans — will face off for Randolph County Magistrate in the General Election. Unofficial vote totals are: Democrats Terry Wamsley, 2,525; Rob Elbon, 3,441; and incumbent Mike Riggleman, 4,582; and Republicans E. Berry Taylor, 527; Benjamin Shepler, 1,011; and Tom Domingo Sr., 478.


In the 37th District House of Delegates, Bill Hartman, a Democrat, took in 3,500 votes to win his fourth term in office, while Bill Proudfoot will continue his career with 3,803 votes. Democratic opponent Margaret Beckwith received 1,692 votes and 2,391 votes were cast for Tom Ditty. No Republicans will challenge the two in the General Election.


“It was another successful campaign,” Hartman said. “I’m very pleased with the results and I’ll do my best to live up to those.”


Proudfoot was not at the courthouse and could not be reached by phone.


Candidates running unopposed included Democrat Phyllis Yokum receiving 5,653 votes for Randolph County assessor; Randolph County Sheriff Jack Roy Jr. receiving 5,931 votes; and Surveyor Leon G. Mallow with 1,261 votes.


Democrat Mike Ross ran unopposed in the primary for the 15th Senatorial District seat. Ross received 5,130 votes and will take on incumbent Clark Barnes who ran unopposed on the Republican ticket. Barnes received 1,310 votes.


Randolph County Clerk Brenda Wiseman said the voter turnout was “pretty good.” According to the unofficial results, 52.96 percent of registered voters cast their ballots.


“It went well, everything was in by 9:30 p.m.,” Wiseman said. “That is really good and I am happy with everything.”