Brent Bennett, Stephanie Lindsey poised to take over after second round wins

NEWTON COUNTY – The projected winners of the June 18 runoff races will cause a substantial shake-up in Newton County government.

In a close race, Brent Bennett is projected to become Newton County’s next tax commissioner after defeating challenger Avis Williams.

The Board of Commissioners is also expected to see another change. Stephanie Lindsey defeated incumbent Alana Sanders for the District 3 seat.

Bennett wins tax commissioner race

Bennett won the tax commissioner race after garnering 2,025 votes (51.33 percent), just 105 more than Williams, who received 1,920 votes (48.67 percent).

The margin of votes between the two candidates fluctuated throughout the night, with eight votes separating the two at one point during the tally.

Only 3,945 votes were cast in total in the June 18 election, compared to more than 8,600 votes that were counted in May.

Because Bennett is a Democrat and no Republicans have qualified for the race, he is expected to take office in January 2025.

Bennett will succeed incumbent Marcus Jordan, who ran unsuccessfully for Newton County Chair during the primary election.

Lindsey will become District 3 Commissioner

Lindsey was in firm control throughout election night, never relinquishing the lead.

The District 3 commissioner-elect finished with 863 votes (62.58 percent).

Sanders, who holds the 2021 District 3 commissioner seat, finished the runoff race with 516 votes (37.42%).

The pair went to a runoff after 33 votes separated the two during the primary election.

A total of 1,379 votes were cast in the runoff, which is less than the more than 2,100 votes that were counted in the previous election.

No Republican candidates have qualified for the seat, paving the way for Lindsey to take office in January 2025.

A full election update recap can be found here.