MOUNT VERNON — Starting with the absentee ballot results reported at 7:36 p.m., six minutes after the polls closed, Republican Bill Pursel held a commanding lead in the race to replace Roger Reed as Knox County Commissioner.
When all 52 precincts reported at 9:04 p.m., Pursel won the seat over Democratic candidate Donald Bovinett Jr. by a margin of 72 percent to 28 percent.
Pursel said he is looking forward to focusing on the positives of the community and seeing that they outweigh the negatives.
Noting that people will always talk about the negatives, he said that one thing he learned as a coach is that some of the children come from horrendous circumstances.
“People in Knox County are sweet people, they’re hard workers, they want the best for their families and co-workers, and because of that, they are very caring,” he said. “People in Knox County help those who are hurting. We just have to figure out for those people who have lost hope how to redirect their lives so that things can be better.”
Areas Pursel cites the lack of food, housing not readily available and jobs and employment as some of the difficult things residents face.
“I hope we can use the good things, the right things and make Knox County great,” he said.
Pursel said he is looking forward to working with Commissioners Teresa Bemiller and Thom Collier, but he also acknowledged that winning the commissioner’s seat does not top the list of exciting things he’s experienced thus far.
“When my wife said yes [to marriage], that was exciting,” he said. “When they said ‘it’s a boy,’ that was exciting. I know there’s a purpose for me being here, and I am looking forward to having fun.”
The result is unofficial until certified by the elections board. To see all local election results, click here.
