Run Off In DA Race

The district attorney race for the Appalachian Circuit ended in a run-off Tuesday night between Incumbent Joe Hendricks and B. Alison Sosebee; Harry Doss was eliminated from the contest. In a letter released this week, Doss thanked his wife, children, staff and all who helped with his campaign. He also commended Sosebee for running a hard-fought and ethical campaign and, pledged his support for her bid for district attorney.

Following long months of contentious forums and debates, both candidates found overwhelming success in certain areas. Sosebee won tremendously in many of the Fannin County precincts, a county where she runs a law practice. Overall, Sosebee defeated Hendricks in Fannin, where she won 47.83 percent of the vote and Hendricks only received 26.34 percent, while Doss received 25.83 percent.

However, in Pickens County, Hendricks took the majority of votes. Hendricks, who resides in Pickens, won 50.09 percent of the vote in the county, Sosebee 35.54, and Doss, 14.36. However, in Gilmer, what could be seen as the battleground county, Sosebee edged out Hendricks by less than ten percentage points. Sosebee won 41.98 percent, while Hendricks fell short with 33.95 percent’ Doss received the remaining 24.07 percent.

Through out her campaign, Sosebee asserted the reason she was running for district attorney was because the people of the Appalachian Circuit needed a change. Based on the results of Tuesday’s election, the comment seems more than just another slogan. Considering their combined percentages in all three counties, Doss and Sosebee clearly defeated Hendricks. By doing so, citizens did vote for change, where the combination of votes for Doss and Sosebee seems to be a referendum on the incumbent.

Faced with such adversity, what can Hendricks do to garner enough votes for another term and convince voters to keep him as district attorney? Also, what does Doss’ endorsement of Sosebee mean for the Hendricks’ campaign? Tuesday’s results made it clear that the incumbent faces considerable obstacles and will have to answer these questions in the days ahead to earn back the much-needed votes lost earlier this week.

The run off is scheduled for August 21st.
Be sure to watch the FYN/ETC televised debate on August 14th at 8:00 P.M. on ETC 3 TV.