Tisdale wins, but still faces court trial

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Nov. 5, 2003
DEKALB Kemper County Sheriff Samuel Tisdale won another term in the Tuesday general election, but still faces one of his former challengers in a court case that could nullify his victory.
Tisdale defeated independent sheriff candidates Ronnie Rankin and Glenn Williams. If Tisdale's victory stands, he will begin his new four-year term in January.
With all 23 precincts reporting, Tisdale received 2,577 votes, or 56 percent. Williams received 1,844 votes, or 40 percent, and Rankin received 186 votes, or 4 percent.
Despite winning the general election, Tisdale still faces a challenge to the August Democratic Party runoff in which he defeated challenger Johnny Harpole by 159 votes.
Circuit Court Judge Albert Smith III of Bolivar County will hear the case in which Harpole charges that voter irregularities led to his defeat and Tisdale's win. The trial is scheduled to start Dec. 11.
Harpole originally filed suit in early October, asking the Circuit Court to halt the Tuesday sheriff's election until it conducted a "full and complete investigation" into his charges of voter irregularities.
Harpole charged that ballot boxes in the runoff were seen unsealed during voting and were tampered with after he served notice requesting a review of the ballot boxes. Harpole's attorney said he has found more than 1,000 more discrepancies in voters' addresses.
The Kemper County Democratic Executive Committee initially ruled Tisdale won the runoff by 40 votes. After Harpole challenged the results, the committee threw out all absentee ballots and said Tisdale won by 159 votes.
If Judge Smith rules in favor of Harpole, Ready said, any number of things could happen including having the Tuesday election nullified and a special election for sheriff ordered.
Linda A. Hampton, Tisdale's attorney, said she feels good about Tisdale's chances of prevailing in the lawsuit. Plus, she believes his Tuesday night win will stand.