Jackson County voters headed to the polls Tuesday, August 18, to decide several closely watched local races in the 2026 Primary Election, including a County Commission seat and two School Board seats.

According to the official results from the Jackson County Supervisor of Elections Office, 8,886 ballots were cast countywide out of 27,058 registered voters, resulting in a voter turnout of 32.84 percent. All 14 precincts had reported, along with early voting and vote-by-mail ballots.

One of the closest contests of the night came in the Jackson County Commission District 2, where Peter “Sonny” Fortunato Jr. defeated Edward E. Crutchfield by just 59 votes. Fortunato received 853 votes, or 51.79 percent, while Crutchfield received 794 votes, or 48.21 percent. A total of 1,647 votes were cast in the race.

The precinct results showed Fortunato carried the Cottondale First Baptist Church precinct with 235 votes, or 66.57 percent, compared to Crutchfield’s 118 votes. Fortunato also posted a strong showing at the Alford Community Center, receiving 317 votes, or 69.98 percent, compared to Crutchfield’s 136.

Crutchfield, however, carried the Graceville Civic Center precinct by a sizable margin, receiving 535 votes, or 64 percent, while Fortunato received 301 votes, or 36 percent. Crutchfield also received all five votes cast in the District 2 race at the Campbellton Community Center.

Fortunato will begin his term as District 2 County Commissioner in the November County Commission meeting.

In the nonpartisan race for Jackson County School Board District 1, Chephus D. Granberry defeated Christopher King. Granberry received 861 votes, or 54.12 percent, while King received 730 votes, or 45.88 percent. A total of 1,591 votes were cast.

The District 1 results also varied considerably by precinct. King dominated the Graceville Civic Center precinct with 292 votes, or 84.64 percent, compared to Granberry’s 53 votes. King also carried Cottondale First Baptist Church with 54 votes to Granberry’s 40 and Citizens Lodge with 33 votes to Granberry’s 28.

Granberry made up the difference with commanding victories elsewhere in the district. He received 206 votes, or 79.54 percent, at Penn Avenue Ag Complex; 164 votes, or 75.23 percent, at Welcome Assembly of God Church; and 202 votes, or 62.73 percent, at Campbellton Community Center. Granberry also carried Greenwood Town Hall with 168 votes to King’s 124.

The three-way race for Jackson County School Board District 5 will continue into November with the top two candidates in a runoff. Phyllis T. Daniels received 995 votes, or 49.23 percent. Michael “MJ” Jackson finished second with 559 votes, or 27.66 percent, while Danielle Walker received 467 votes, or 23.11 percent. A total of 2,021 votes were cast in the race. Daniels and Jackson will continue in a runoff going into the General Election held on November 3.

Daniels led at most of the precincts shown in the District 5 results. At Malone Joy Club, she received 307 votes, or 56.96 percent, compared to Jackson’s 153 and Walker’s 79. Daniels also led at Grand Ridge Community Center with 230 votes, or 51 percent, and Welcome Assembly of God Church with 225 votes, or 48.28 percent.

At Eastside Baptist Church, the race was more competitive, with Daniels receiving 158 votes, or 38.73 percent, Walker receiving 141 votes, or 34.56 percent, and Jackson receiving 109 votes, or 26.72 percent. At Cypress Park precinct Daniels received 61 votes compared to Walker’s 44 and Jackson’s 30. Walker also came within one vote of Daniels at the Campbellton Community Center, where Daniels received six votes and Walker received five, while Jackson received one.

With all precincts reporting, the primary election settled two county-level contests, with the Jackson County School Board District 5 race continuing into the General Election.

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