PINEVILLE - Bell County voters went to the polls Tuesday and chose those they wish to lead them in the next four years. Nearly half of the registered voters took the time out to vote in the general election, while the majority stayed away from the polls.

In Bell County there are 10,399 registered Democrats, 10,081 Republicans along with 634 who are registered with other parties, for a total of 21,114 registered voters. Of that amount only 10,431 voters, or .494 percent, took time out of their schedules to vote.

With only 25 registered voters, 17 voted in Ken Ten for the highest percentage of voters at .68 percent. Meldrum had the lowest turnout with 936 registered voters only 257 voted for .274573 percent.

In casting their ballots, Harold “Hal” Rogers defeated Kenneth Stepp 7,893 to 1,693 votes to retain his seat in Congress.

In the state races, incumbent Daniel Mongiardo was unopposed and received 5,769 votes. State Representative incumbent Rick Nelson defeated challenger Glynna Brown 7,611 to 2,265.

Unopposed for Commonwealth Attorney, incumbent Karen Greene Blondell received 6,107 votes.

In the Circuit Clerk's race Colby Slusher out polled Sonya P. Akers 6,243 to 3,709. This was the first political race for either candidate.

The only candidate for Property Valuation Administrator, incumbent Geraldine Wilder Jeffers polled 5,556 votes.

The most hotly contested race was for Bell County Judge-Executive. Incumbent Bill Kelley lost to political newcomer Albey Brock by 1,285 votes. Brock polled 5,682 votes and Kelley had 4,397 votes.

Bell County Attorney Neil Ward had no opposition and polled 5,891 votes.

Bell County Court Clerk was won by Becky Blevins who defeated perennial candidate Jerry Jackson. Blevins received the most votes of any candidate with 7,679 votes to Jackson's 2,269 votes.

Incumbent Sheriff Bruce Bennett defeated former sheriff Harold Harbin, 6,321 to 3,943 votes.

In the Bell County Jailer's race, incumbent Jimmy Hoksins downed challenger Larry “Apple” Adkins 5,756 to 3,869 votes.

The only candidate for Coroner, incumbent Clyde Creech polled 7,192 votes.

In the magisterial races, the fiscal court not only will have a new county judge, but three new magistrates. In Magisterial District One, incumbent John Brock, Sr., lost to Rick Cornett, 1,375 to 1,020 votes. In District Two Johnnie G. Brock and Hubert Dozier, Jr., went head-to-head with Dozier winning 1,210 to 858 votes. District Three also saw new comers and Lonnie Junior Maiden downed Tim Millett 927 to 867 votes. In Magisterial District 4 incumbent Coye Silcox downed challenger Jimmy England 909 to 750 votes. In District 5 incumbent Andy Williams beat William Partin 1,237 to 977 votes.

In the constable's race in District 1 Elmer “Pee Wee” Brock beat Creed Barnett, Jr., 1,260 to 791 votes. In District 2 Larry “Fish” Mills was not challenged and polled 1,489 votes. District 3 Jim Bowling beat Randy Melton 926 to 563 votes. In District 4 balloting Burl England beat Carolyn Eastridge 642, to 493 votes. In District 5 James “Scooter” Fuson beat Jesse Hall 1,022 to 783 votes.

In the Middlesboro Mayoral race incumbent Ben Hickman out polled Bill Hayes by 532 votes. Hickman received 1,774 votes to Hayes 1,242 votes.

In the Middlesboro City Council race, there were 16 candidates. The top nine will take their seats on the council in January. Everette “Mammaw” Gulley polled 2,036 votes followed by Ronnie Carter with 1,605, Randy Ball with 1,585, Gary Mills with 1,492, Evelyn Farmer 1,458, Henry “Hank” Barnes with 1,449, Doug Hughes with 1,294, Larry Thacker, Jr., with 1,198 and Rob Lincks with 1,064. The remaining candidates, Tom Shattuck with 912, James “Red” Mayes with 834, John Michael Moyers with 836, Jim Hyde with 793, Mike Mace with 738, Benny Evans with 659 and Matthew Hall with 574 votes.

In the Middlesboro School Board race Bill Johnson defeated Eddie Ballenger 1,699 to 1,054 votes.

In the Pineville races. Incumbent Mayor Bruce Hendrickson lost to former Mayor Robert Madon. Madon received 675 votes while Hendrickson polled 361 votes.

In the city council races nine candidates were vying for six seats. Incumbents running were re-elected. Bruce Nunn received 550 votes, Sherwin Rader 542, Bobby Valentine, Jr., 540, David Gambrell, 508 and Pat Bingham with 393 votes are the new council. Other receiving votes, Billy Robbins 387, Frances Sinkhorn 370 and Bruce Thompson 342 votes.

In the Pineville School Board, incumbents Carolyn Goodin received 436 votes, Jeanette Cawood 401 and James Gragg, Jr., with 359 votes all will return to their seats in January.

In the Bell County School Board race in District 1 incumbent John Parrott lost to Shelby Stewart 670 to 397 votes. In District 2 Kenneth Sams the lone incumbent received 698 votes.

Unopposed was Bell Circuit Court Judge Jim Bowling with 6,216 votes. Bell County District Judge Robert Constanzo was unopposed and received 4,074 votes. In the Court of Appeals Second Division went to incumbent James Lambert with 3,598 votes to Michael Henry with 2,197 votes.

The number of votes are preliminary from the Bell County Court Clerk's office. The state will certify as officials the votes at a later date. The Daily News will run a precinct-by-precinct tabulation of the votes at a later date.