This was my first time voting in Kentucky since our move almost two years ago. Although I did not vote in Jessamine County, it was nice to see that almost double the number of voters came out to the polls and cast their vote and voice compared to those who voted in the primary election earlier this year.

Also new to covering politics, it was my first time taking part in waiting with the officials and candidates at the courthouse for results to come in.

Like perhaps some of you, I was not surprised to see the way some of the seats ended up. A majority of the incumbents in Jessamine County were re-elected for another term.

I am just now beginning to really build relationships with many of them since taking my position at the newspaper one year ago this month. I look forward to continuing to build upon those relationships in this upcoming term.

There will be three new officials between Nicholasville City Commission, Jessamine County Fiscal Court and the Wilmore City Council.

Although I have not met and talked with Alex Carter, who will replace Andy Williams come January, I have met and spoken with Kent Slusher and I have had many correspondences with Andy Bathje, who also heads up Adventure Serve in Wilmore, which we have featured a few times over the last year.

These individuals have the challenge to work with their peers to make Jessamine County a safe and great place to live.

David West and Peter Sutherland were both re-elected to serve the people of Jessamine County for another term as well. I have had many opportunities to meet and talk with both gentlemen over the course of this last year. Both have said they will continue to work hard daily to make this county a better place for its residents to improve the place they call home.

I also look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Harold Rainwater of Wilmore, who is very possibly the longest tenured mayor in the state and beyond.

The greatest surprise of Tuesday night was no doubt the race for the final Nicholasville City Commission seat which had both incumbent Patty Teater and new-comer Bethany Davis tied for the final spot. I believe almost everyone in the courtroom felt the way I did when the final votes were taken and we all thought maybe our eyes deceived us as we looked up to see the same number attached to both candidates’ names.

Almost instinctively those gathered in the courtroom looked at one another asking the same kind of question, “well what happens now?”

After both women decided to pull a name out of a hat, Teater was announced the unofficial winner and those gathered let out the breath they were holding onto, right along with both candidates, and the night came to an end.

Davis has since filed for a recount and I will eagerly await the results with the rest of the county.

Congrats to all the candidates, those re-elected and the “newbies.” I look forward to working with each and every one of them through this next term.

Brittany Fuller is the community editor of The Jessamine Journal and Jessamine Life magazine. She can be reached at brittany.fuller@jessaminejournal.com.