DAVIESS CO., KY (WFIE) -
The votes are in for the Kentucky Primary in Daviess County, and the big race for Owensboro City Commissioner.
11 candidates were on the ballot and eight advanced on Tuesday night.
A close race on Tuesday for the Owensboro City Commission Primary. Only 165 votes separated who will be the final person on the November election ballot and who came up just short.
Of the 67,000 registered voters in Daviess County, only about 8,000 people went out to the polls on Tuesday. Current Mayor Pro Tem Pam Smith-Wright got the majority of those votes for city commissioner.
"It's a validation of the hard work I think that I've done for this community and that I want to continue to do," said Smith-Wright.
Smith-Wright explains why she thinks voters chose her.
"I represent the average citizen in Owensboro. I think that I listen to what they're saying and I vote accordingly. I enjoy the job as Mayor Pro Tem," said Smith-Wright.
Looking to take Smith-Wright's title is Deborah Nunley. She finished 107 votes behind Smith-Wright.
"If you're running, you might as well try to be first right?" said Nunley.
If elected come November, Nunley says she plans to take a path less traveled.
"I'm just going to roll up my sleeves and work twice as hard to break out of the pack of incumbents. Some new fresh eyes looking on the expenses in this community. Within the past several months, this community has been taxed. I don't want to be like one of the incumbents and just rubber stamp everything," said Nunley.
Others who got top votes were current commissioners Jeff Sanford and Roger Stacy.
The eight candidates will be narrowed down to four in the November election.
The one with the top vote will become the new Mayor Pro-Tem. Current Mayor Ron Payne is running opposed.
