Winner declared in Oktibbeha County sheriff’s race

OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – The Oktibbeha County sheriff’s race came down to affidavit ballots.

Election commissioners spent Wednesday morning counting the affidavits.

Incumbent Sheriff Steve Gladney held a slim lead after Tuesday night’s votes were cast.

One of the challengers in the race, John Rice, needed less than a hundred votes to force a runoff.

Once the counting was done, Gladney barley just barely squeaked out a victory.

He received 50.31% of the vote. Gladney needed 50 percent plus one vote.

Rice finished with a little over 46%.

The other challenger in the race, Brandon Gann, received 3.4% of the vote tally.

There’s no Republican challenger.