By Just One Vote, Atkinson Wins Spot on Ballot

By Just One Vote, Atkinson Wins Spot on Ballot By M. D. Drysdale

The big surprise at the Randolph polls in yesterday's primary election was a gratifying one. More than twice as many people voted in this year's primary as voted two years ago.

Furthermore, they proved the old oft-questioned slogan that every vote counts. In the Republican primary, one of the state representative nominations was decided by a single vote.

Town Clerk Joyce Mazzucco's guess was that the bigger turnout was due to some wide publicity about primary elections and the usually poor turnout. Apparently people in Randolph, anyway, wanted to reverse that trend.

Some 802 people voted, compared to 373 two years ago and 693 four years ago.

The most dramatic result came about in the state representative race on the Republican ballot in the towns of Randolph, Brookfield, Braintree, and Granville. Three candidates were running for two spots.

The easy winner of one of the spots was political newcomer Bob Wolffe of Randolph. For the second spot, though, only one vote separated David Atkinson and Thomas Barkley.

Atkinson defeated Barkley 268 votes to 267.

It might be argued that a landslide of votes in Granville turned the tide for Atkinson. He received nine votes there, to only six for Barkley.

Unless a recount changes things, Wolffe and Atkinson will run as Republicans against Democrats Patsy French and Jim Hutchinson in November.

A Democratic primary contest in Norwich, Thetford, Sharon and Strafford was waged to see who would step into the shoes of Rep. Ann Seibert, who is stepping down. Jim Masland of Thetford will keep his spot on the ballot in the two-seat district. The second seat was won by Margaret Cheney, a Norwich resident and a teacher at The Sharon Academy. She polled 937 to 825 for Irv Thomae.

The two will face Republicans Richard Wilson of Sharon and Tod Moses of Thetford in November.

Windsor County saw an upset of sorts as longtime assistant (side) judge Bill Boardman of Woodstock was defeated in the Democratic primary. The two winners were David Singer, who easily led all candidates, and Greg Soula.

They will face Republican incumbent Kenneth Cooper of Woodstock in November. Two of the three will be elected.

Boardman, 68, had served since 1990 as a side judge. However, he ran into considerable criticism this time around centered on the increasing county budget. Singer and Soula campaigned as a team, reportedly encouraged by state Sen. John Campbell.

Statewide Races

In statewide races, White River Valley voters echoed the statewide results. The closest race was Matt Dunne's victory over John Tracy for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. Dunne had a comfortable 62-48 marjin statewide, but his margin was much greater in the White River Valley area, where he is better known. In Randolph, for instance, Dunne polled 210 vs. 57 for Tracy.

Republican voters here gave Rich Tarrant a comfortable win in the Republican nomination for Senate, and a 3-1 win for Martha Rainville over Mark Shepard in the nomination for Congress.