CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – There were several surprises and interesting outcomes in the results of last night’s election, a Montgomery County General Election and state primary. Here are my top takeaways.

1. Party matters

Montgomery County is a Republican stronghold, and that may have played out in the race for chancellor. For this judgeship, which covers mainly divorce, adoption and financial disputes, Larry McMillan had been in the seat for 17 years, and he had endorsements from Clarksville’s most respected judges, including his predecessor, Carol Catalano. But what he didn’t have was an R next to his name, and this was the first time McMillan had been forced to run with a party affiliation, claiming independent status. His opponent, Ben Dean, a Robertson County attorney who did have the R next to his name, captured 77% of the vote in Robertson County. That normally wouldn’t matter, with Montgomery having such a bigger share of the votes. But Dean won in Montgomery as well, with 53%.

MORE: Ben Dean of Robertson County defeats longtime Chancellor Laurence McMillan

2. Party matters … until it doesn’t

Candidates looking to cash in on that R should be wary, though. In last night’s election, while Republicans owned the countywide races, they collapsed at the County Commission and School Board level.

Countywide races:

  • Republicans won all 6, defeating 1 Democrat and 6 independents.

County Commission and School Board:

  • Democrats won 8 races, defeating 6 Republicans and 3 independents.
  • Independents won 5 races, defeating 1 Republican, 2 Democrats and 2 independents.
  • Republicans won 4 races, defeating 7 independents.

That could mean one of two things: Party affiliation matters less the more local you get, because knowing your neighbor who’s running for office will override those party labels. Or it could just be that those County Commission and School Board districts where Democrats won are simply Democrat-heavy districts. And it could be both.

3. Rumbling about schools stays on horizon

A lot has changed with school boards across the country. It started with complaints about COVID prevention, from closing schools to requiring masks. Then there was the manufactured boogeyman of critical race theory, and then the push for public support for private charter schools. With increased pressure on the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board, and with several opponents stepping in to run, it looked like a sea change could be coming for local education.

But local voters weren’t persuaded. Three incumbent Democrat School Board leaders – Carol Berry, Herbert Nelson and Jimmie Garland – defeated three Republican challengers and one independent. The School Board can rest assured that it has the support of the community, as expressed in those results. But they shouldn’t rest too much: The results were fairly close, with the winners collecting, respectively, 54%, 49% and 52% of the vote. That’s a win, but not a mandate. Board members are doing what the voters want, but they need to ensure they’re listening and responding to parents and concerned community members.

4. Wes Golden challenged during victory lap

Once Wes Golden secured the approval of outgoing County Mayor Jim Durrett, and then the Republican nomination, he was always going to be tough to beat. To ensure his victory, Golden ran a positive campaign and cast a wide net. Along the way, he made some key campaign promises, and on her way out opponent Jodi O’Connor left some signposts to hold him to them. It’s an bold way to push for change, and it will be interesting to see what Golden does with those promises over the next four years.

MORE: Wes Golden elected county mayor: ‘It’s a feeling that I don’t want to let go’

5. Echo chambers don’t win elections

Without naming names, there were several candidates on the ballot who are superstars in their own circles, drawing strong support from friends and followers, whether that’s on social media or just in small groups of vocal activists. But in election after election, it’s clear that those echo chambers, especially on social media, can lull these candidates into thinking they have widespread support that they simply do not have. Social media is an important tool, but it’s only one tool. And it doesn’t replace going door to door, investing in advertising, and reaching out to all constituents, not just the ones who agree with whatever you say.

6. Vallejos is GOP’s hope to turn 67 red

While Jeff Burkhart skimmed by to beat Deanna McLaughlin in a state House District 75 race that went back and forth all night, perhaps the more interesting one come November will be in District 67, the Clarksville doughnut hole that has been held by Democrat representatives for as long as I’ve been here, dating back to Tommy Head, then Kim McMillan, then Joe Pitts, then Jason Hodges, who decided not to run again. Tommy Vallejos, who won the Republican primary last night, has been a dynamic political figure for many years and has a compelling personal story. He’ll be running in November against Democrat Ronnie Glynn, who hasn’t yet hit the campaign with both barrels. That will be a race to watch, now that the primaries are over.

MORE: Burkhart narrowly wins Republican nomination to new District 75, Vallejos wins primary in 67

7. Sheriff Fuson fends off internal opponent

The most contentious race on the ballot this year was between Sheriff John Fuson and MCSO Sgt. Mike Oliver, who peppered the campaign with complaints about how Fuson has been running the department in recent years. Fuson kept the high ground and responded to the complaints as they came up, addressing them in general terms, while pushing a message of responsible leadership and touting his accomplishments. That strategy gave him the win with 9,225 votes. But there were 6,779 voters who took Oliver’s side, and Oliver told Clarksville Now he isn’t giving up.

MORE: Sheriff John Fuson wins re-election, Oliver says he’ll be back in 4 years

8. Voter turnout about what’s expected

Of the 136,575 registered voters in Montgomery County, 17,016 took part in this election. That’s 12.46% voter turnout. While some folks will exclaim with dismay that voter turnout was abysmal, that’s actually not bad for an August election, and we’ve seen much worse.

I’ve been tracking local voter turnout, and for the last seven August election cycles, here’s what we’ve had:

  • August 2008: 11.86%
  • August 2010: 19.04%
  • August 2012: 7.06%
  • August 2014: 20.08%
  • August 2016: 7.87%
  • August 2018: 19.67%
  • August 2020: 17.42%

That’s an average voter turnout of 14.71%, so turnout of 12.46% is just below average. No, it isn’t great, but it’s typical.

It’s important to note that 7,826 voted on Election Day. So that means that 54% of the votes were already cast, in early or absentee voting, before Election Day took place, and that’s been consistent for the last several election cycles, often running as high as 60% of the votes. That’s important info for any candidate looking to win over voters: Make your best case before early voting begins.