By Scott Robertson
Dan Eldridge coasted to an easy victory in his re-election bid Tuesday night, capturing over 72 percent of the vote. Eldridge claimed 8,988 votes. His opponent, Mike Rutherford, received 3,453. Afterward, Eldridge shied away from using the word vindication in describing his feelings, choosing instead to say the vote represented “validation” of his first term in office.
“It validates what we really have been working toward for the last four years,” said Eldridge, “and when I say that, I mean it validates the people of Washington County’s desire to see us continue the track we’re on.”
Washington County Mayor Dan Eldridge, center, checks early election numbers on Main Street in Jonesborough. (Photo by Jeff Keeling)
With the exception of Mark Ferguson in the sixth district, the commissioners who have been most critical of Eldridge who were in contested elections lost. First-term Commissioner Doyle Cloyd, who previously served as County Clerk, lost his bid for re-election, as did Alpha Bridger and Roger Nave.
Eldridge said he saw those results as further evidence the voters were validating his leadership. “It was a clear message from the voters of Washington County. The voters had no misperceptions about how business was being taken care of in Washington County. The circumstances are pretty obvious.”
