RON GARNER Two political newcomers soundly defeated incumbent school board members Amanda Knowles and Lindley Auton in Tuesday’s election.

Ron Garner and Alan McEntire were elected to their first terms.

Unofficial returns show Garner received 81 percent of the votes in District 5, defeating Knowles in her effort to win a second term on the school board. Garner received 606 votes while Knowles received 144.

Garner was thrilled about being elected to the school board in his first time running for public office.

“This is the most humbling thing I have ever been a part of. A lot of people have given me a lot of help in this race,” Garner said. “I look forward to helping get things headed in a positive direction on the school board into the next decade.”

In District 7, McEntire received 500 votes while Auton got 187 votes in her bid for a third straight term. Marcia Duncan received 133 votes.

ALAN MCENTIRE McEntire, who received 61 percent of the vote, said he is looking forward to serving on the school board.

“I want to thank the people who supported me,” McEntire said. “I will make good decisions for the children of Cherokee County.”

Incumbent Mike Ellis was the only incumbent trustee to win re-election, prevailing over two challengers in District 1. This will be his third term.

Ellis received 528 votes in defeating Michael Nix and Alex Copeland, who got 377 and 51 votes, respectively.

“I appreciate all my friends. I had a lot of people who supported me,” Ellis said. “I am looking forward to going back to work and doing the right thing for kids.”

Barry Bailey had no opposition in winning re-election to his third straight term representing District 3.

MIKE ELLIS The winners will begin serving effective with the board meeting of Monday, Aug. 16.

Cherokee County is one of 50 school districts statewide that pay their board members. School board members are paid $5,000 annually.

Here are the unofficial results for elections held Tuesday for Gaffney City Council, Blacksburg Town Council and the Cherokee County School District:

BLACKSBURG COUNCIL

Joe Ross (Dist. 1)................................84 Suzanne Patterson (Dist. 1)................25 Mike Patterson (Dist. 2).......UNOPPOSED David Hogue (Mayor).......UNOPPOSED

GAFFNEY COUNCIL

Bernard Smith (Dist. 3)......................177 Cornelius Smith (Dist. 3).....................79 Thomas Reid (Dist. 2)......UNOPPOSED Boone Peeler (Dist. 5)......UNOPPOSED

SCHOOL BOARD

Alex Copeland (Dist. 1).......................51 Mike Ellis (Dist. 1)..............................528 Michael Nix (Dist. 1)..........................377

Barry Bailey (Dist. 3)...177 (UNOPPOSED)

Ron Garner (Dist. 5)..........................606 Amanda Knowles (Dist. 5).................144

Lindley Auton (Dist. 7).......................187 Dr. Marcia Duncan (Dist. 7)...............133 Alan McEntire (Dist. 7)......................500