By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County voters on Tuesday elected David Groves, a Baxter Springs police officer, as their new county sheriff, according to complete but unofficial returns.

Groves, a Democrat, received 5,908 votes to 3,440 votes for his Republican opponent, Garry Abram, a former Galena police chief. His margin of victory was 63 percent to 37 percent.

Incumbent Republican Sheriff Steve Norman didn’t seek re-election.

In the race for County Clerk, Democrat Crystal Gatewood had 4,784 votes to 4,564 votes for Republican Rodney Edmondson, who currently is a County Commissioner.

Gatewood, the county Democratic Party Chairwoman, said Tuesday night that she looks forward to serving Cherokee County residents.

In County Commission races, Democrat Jack Garner defeated Republican James Lucian for the 2nd District position. Garner had 1,853 votes to Lucian’s 1,285 votes.

The district includes Columbus and the western half of the county.

In the 3rd District, Republican Richard Hilderbrand had 1,931 votes, defeating Democrat Fred Low, with 1,332 votes. The district includes Baxter Springs and Riverton.

The only incumbent running for county office, Republican Register of Deeds Christy Grant fended off a challenge by Democrat Vickie Hess. Grant had 5,368 votes to Hess’s 3,927 votes.

The winners will take office on Jan. 12.