Democratic candidates sweep districts 5, 6 and 7 on county board

By KIM RUEL

DeKalb County Board Democratic candidates swept Districts 5, 6 and 7 for their seats on the board.

In District 5, Democratic candidate Kevin Chambliss pulled out a win over Republican candidate Philip P. Young. Chambliss received 67.38 percent of the votes.

Norm Read, DeKalb County Democrats executive committee member, said he is thrilled about Chambliss’s win.

“Kevin will do a very good job representing the student-heavy district,” Read said. “He will provide a younger, but very level-headed voice, and he has a lot of drive and energy.”

Ruth Anne Tobias, District 6 Democratic candidate, was re-elected for her fourth consecutive term, receiving 73.57 percent of the votes over Republican candidate Paulette Tolene.

“It feels wonderful to win,” Tobias said. “Even though I have been elected three times before, I always get worried that this time might be my last.”

While on the board, Tobias plans to focus on issues regarding budget management, ground water dilemmas and overcrowded jail and court systems, among others.

For District 7, Democratic candidate Jerry Augsburger also won over Erik Calmeyer with 76.31 percent of the votes.For the Republican candidates, disappointment was the theme among board members.

“We expected to do better,” said College Republicans chairman Andrew Bogda.

In District 5, Young congratulated his opponent.

“Obviously, I went into tonight very hopeful to win, but I congratulate my opponent on a well-run campaign,” Young said.

But Young said if he could do anything different with his campaign, he would have gone to the student body more.