Published: November 05, 2008 03:22 am      

Taylor wins second term as sheriff

PALESTINE — By his own admission, the first four years of Greg Taylor’s tenure as Anderson County sheriff “went by really fast.”

On Tuesday, the county’s voters essentially extended his contract by another four years as Taylor easily defeated Democratic challenger Steve Quick in landslide fashion.

Taylor, the Republican incumbent, received 11,421 votes — or 69.2 percent of the race’s total votes — while Quick, the former Anderson County chief jailer, finished with 5,072 votes — or 30.8 percent of the votes.

Taylor carried 21 of Anderson County’s 24 voting boxes, losing only Boxes 6 through 8 which traditionally vote heavily Democratic.

“Of course, I’m very grateful,” the 45-year-old Taylor said Tuesday night after it had become clear the county’s voters had returned him to office. “Thanks to God first and foremost. I’m grateful to the people of Anderson County and will strive to continue to improve the sheriff’s office and keep it headed in the right direction.

“We got a lot done,” he continued about his first four years in office. “We accomplished a lot, but we’ve got a lot more to accomplish. It’s humbling to see that much support.”

Taylor said Tuesday’s post-victory feeling was somewhat different than in 2004 when he was first elected sheriff.

“It’s not quite the elation,” Taylor admitted. “We were confident. I thought we’d win because I thought we’d done a pretty good job. I didn’t know by how much.”

With the clock closing in on midnight late Tuesday night, Taylor said his Election Day began at 5:30 a.m. when he got up and lifted weights. He then traveled around the county, making stops at more than half of the county’s two dozen voting boxes.

After the polls closed, more than 100 supporters gathered at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office to ultimately share in Taylor’s landslide victory.

“I really cannot describe how I feel right now,” Taylor said. “I’m pretty tired. This was a long day. I just appreciate the people of Anderson County and we’ll continue to try to do the best job we can do.”

The 46-year-old Quick, who served as Taylor’s chief jailer for almost two years until leaving the post in September 2006, was running for public office for the first time.

In announcing his candidacy, Quick said he had seen things he “would have done differently” during his time as jail administrator and felt he would do “a better job” if elected.

Quick was elected this past spring as the Democratic nominee without opposition.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com