Bell County will have a new Commonwealth’s Attorney next January after Mike Taylor knocked off incumbent Lisa Fugate in the Republican Primary on Tuesday. Taylor received 1,509 votes to Fugate’s 744.

“First of all I’d like to thank the voters of Bell County for supporting me and making me the Republican nominee for your next Bell County Commonwealth’s Attorney,” Taylor said in a Facebook post Tuesday night. “I appreciate Lisa Fugate’s kind and thoughtful concession and I agree that we must keep sound conservative Republican leadership in this important position.”

Fugate conceded shortly after the results were in, with a very gracious Facebook post of her own.

“A big congratulations to Mike Taylor for winning the Republican ticket for Commonwealth’s Attorney. I have enjoyed my time in that office, but God has other plans for me. Thank you Bell County for my time as your Commonwealth’s Attorney,” she said. “To everyone who voted for me, I ask that you now support Mike Taylor come November. A Republican must remain in that position. I know both attorneys, and Mike will get my vote. With Mike, what you see is what you get. So I encourage you to vote Taylor in November!”

Taylor will be running against fellow Middlesboro attorney Jessie Moberg in the general election in November.

“Bell County is at a crossroads. We must continue to work together and support conservative Republican values,” he added in his post. “I humbly ask you for your vote and support in the November election against the Democrat opposition. And, Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you.”

The primary in Bell County, like most of the state, had a low turnout with about 14.6% of registered voters casting ballots. In all, 2,832 of the county’s 19,454 registered voters participated in the primary.

Bell voters overwhelmingly chose former president Donald J. Trump as the Republican presidential nominee with 2,151 votes (92.24%). Uncommitted received 58 votes, Nikki Haley 55 and Ron DeSantis 44. Incumbent president Joe Biden was the choice among Bell Democrats with 266 votes (56.48%). Uncommitted received 143 votes, Dean Phillips 48 and Marianne Williamson 27.

Incumbent U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers received 1,947 votes (86.19%) from Bell Countians in his Republican primary to easily outdistance challengers Dana Edwards (147 votes), Brandon Monhollen (131) and David E. Kractchak Jr. (34).

Incumbent State Senator Johnnie L. Turner was also the overwhelming choice of Bell Countians in his Republican primary. Turner received 1,551 votes (72.04%) to Randy Thompson’s 422 and Shawn Andrew Gilley’s 180.