Hart County Chooses New Probate Judge

Hart County will officially have a new Probate Judge beginning in 2015.  Voters went to the polls on Tuesday and chose Interim Probate Judge Merry Pilgrim Kirk as their new Probate Judge.  Kirk ran against Hartwell attorney Todd C. Townsend to fill the position vacated earlier this year by then Probate Judge Bob Smith.  From the seven precincts reporting, a total of 2,897 day-of and early votes were cast.  Kirk received 1,679 votes.  That’s 57.96% of vote.  Townsend garnered 1,218 votes or 42.04%.  The Probate Judge’s office said 142 absentee and paper ballots still needed to be counted, but there results would not affect the outcome.  Both Kirk and Townsend wound up in this week’s run-off when there was not a clear cut winner in the first special election held on November 4.  At that time, five candidates were vying for the seat.

Kirk says she’s glad the race is over so she can get back to taking care of the people of Hart County.  Kirk said “It’s been hard.  It’s been hard trying to work and run a campaign too.  I don’t know what I would have done without my family and friend’s support.  It’s been really incredible, and I really appreciate the voters of Hart County putting the trust in me that they have to serve as their Probate Judge for the next two years.”

 

Merry Pilgrim Kirk will officially take office in January.