Goshen County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Kory Fleenor was still processing shortly after learning he’d come out on top in the Republic Primary for the department’s top job on Tuesday.
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By Andrew D. Brosig
abrosig@torringtontelegram.com
GOSHEN COUNTY – Goshen County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Kory Fleenor was still processing shortly after learning he’d come out on top in the Republic Primary for the department’s top job on Tuesday.
“I’m still trying to let it sink in,” Fleenor said from his home in Lingle. “I’ve been watching (results) feverishly since they put the first (reports) on” the county elections website.
Despite current interim Sheriff Jeremy Wardell jumping out to an early lead, Fleenor came from behind to win with a margin of 48.53 percent to, or 1,730 votes, to Wardell’s 41.96 percent, 1,496 votes. The third challenger in the race, Brian Wise, tallied 325 ballots, or 9.12 percent of the vote.
A total of 3,565 votes were cast in the race, which included 14, undesignated write-in votes.
“I’m not thrilled,” Wardell said when contacted Tuesday, adding, “Thanks for the support” to the people who voted for him.
Wardell said, while it was still too early for any final decisions, he’ll stay in the office he’s filled since appointed following the retirement of long-time Sheriff Don Murphy to finish out his term.
“I’ll stay and be sheriff through January,” Wardell said. “From there, I don’t know. We’ll see.
“It’s kind of soon to be talking about it,” he said. “But a shout-out to all my supporters, thanking them for all their support.
Wise said his job duties prevented him from committing as much time as he wanted to to the race for sheriff, but he believes “the best man won.
“I wanted to get law enforcement back to how it used to be when I was working it,” Wise said. “Be more proactive than reactive. I wanted to be out in the community, be seen, be visible.”
Fleenor credited that same sentiment, visibility, at least in part with his win.
“I was continually talking to people, tons of work on social media, talking to people in the public,” he said. “Just a lot of hard work.
“And I have to say thank you to the people of the county,” Fleenor said. “I actually have to thank everyone who helped me out during this process. Tons and tons of other people.”
