Putnam County Republican Mayor Randy Porter took home 86 percent of the Republican vote to win Tuesday.
Porter beat challenger Wayne Nabors with 8,088 votes to Nabor’s 1,310.
“We were just blown away by the turnout for the vote and all the folks that voted for us,” Porter said. It’s been a long campaign, but it’s been great getting out and seeing everyone. And the level of support we’ve seen from day one from all the folks has just been unbelievable. And it’s humbling to get that kind of vote.”
Porter said he is proud to serve a county and a community that he feels is the “greatest place in the world.”
Porter said it was difficult to run against Nabors, who is also very well known among Putnam County residents.
“You’re together at the events and… it’s different,” Porter said. “But I’ve tried to make sure that I was respectful to him in every way, shape and form, made sure I didn’t say anything negative towards him. Never would with anybody that, that I run against. And I think that’s what the people want is, is positivity. And, you know, what you believe in and what you’re going to bring to the table for the position that you’re running for.”
Porter said the negative politics that has become commonplace in some political races can actually backfire and hurt candidates at the polls.
Porter also said the population growth of Putnam County and the state of Tennessee as a whole was one of the main topics of discussion among the electorate. Porter said he wants to make sure they continue to grow the right way.
Porter has served as Putnam County Mayor since 2014. If re-elected, it would be his fourth term in office.
Porter will face Democrat Ryan Dalton in the General Election. Voting totals are still unofficial until approved by the Putnam County Election Commission.
