Johnson easily wins GOP nomination for Randolph County clerk
Melanie L. Johnson of Sparta handily defeated Cypress Gibson Tuesday night to become the Republican nominee for Randolph County clerk in November.
With all 37 precincts in, unofficial results gave Johnson 1,353 votes to Gibson's 259.
Johnson said Tuesday night she believes her name recognition and varied experience with organizations throughout the county helped her win by a sizable margin.
The Sparta native taught adult education with Monroe/Randolph Regional Office of Education, as well as served with the Marissa Recreational Area Association, Sparta Area Habitat for Humanity, Community Foundation of Randolph County, Monroe/Randolph Transit Authority board and Southwestern Illinois Regional Leadership and Development Committee.
"I've come in contact with a wide range of people with all the projects I've been involved in," she said
Gibson, a 22-year-old mother of two from Coulterville, ran a low-key campaign. According to her Facebook campaign page, said she could bring a "young, fresh outlook" to the office and was running to show young women "they can de anything as long as they put their minds to it."
Attempts to contact Gibson Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Johnson will move on to face Democrat Bobby Klausing in the Nov. 6 general election. Klausing ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary, getting 1,627 votes.
Johnson said the race against Klausing will be interesting as "we're both from Sparta."
She added that her experience working in both the public and private sectors gives her an edge in experience in the race.
"I'm familiar with (county government) and have experience that I can run a cost effective office," she said.
The winner in November will replace four-term Clerk and Recorder Pat Laramore, who did not seek a fifth term.
About nine percent of the county's 21,563 registered voters casts ballots in the primary, according to data from the clerk's office. A total of 1,935 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary, while 1,729 were cast in the Republican ticket.