Ferguson and Bates during a League of Women Voters debate
There will be at least one new member of Christian Fiscal Court in January after an incumbent was ousted in the Democratic primary.
Magaline Ferguson made history when she defeated District 1 incumbent Kenneth Bates by only 21 votes, making her the first African-American woman to serve as a magistrate in Christian County and the first woman since Sherry Jeffers in the 1980’s. She spoke with WHOP News and thanked her supporters, saying she is thrilled, humbled and excited to take the next step of her journey.
Ferguson is now unopposed, as no Republicans filed to seek the position in November. In other races for magistrate, District 5 incumbent Rich Liebe won his bid for re-election against Buddy Oglesby by about 250 votes and is unopposed in the general election.
In District 3, George Barnett beat Robert Webb by 122 votes in the Republican primary and will go on to face incumbent Mark Cansler in the fall.
The race for District 5 constable ended with a victory for James “Jim” Smith, who defeated incumbent Mark Graham.