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Strong, Higdon win sheriff primary races
by Megan Tilk
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong receives congratulations Tuesday night at his watch party at Barbosa’s Castillo. Mr. Strong won the Democratic nomination against Ron Fisher.

Photo by Jessica Stewart / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong receives congratulations Tuesday night at his watch party at Barbosa’s Castillo. Mr. Strong won the Democratic nomination against Ron Fisher.

There was only one silent moment in Sheriff Mike Strong’s night Tuesday — one long enough to take in a breath before the cheers, shouts and celebration began.

With celebration headquarters set up at Barbosa’s Castillo restaurant, Mr. Strong and his slew of supporters had their eyes glued to either a television or laptop for about an hour after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The result — Mr. Strong won the Democratic spot for Buchanan County sheriff against Ron Fisher, a marshal in the courthouse, by just 366 votes.

“It was closer than I wanted, but it’s a win,” Mr. Strong said. “I’m glad it’s over with, and I’m glad we won.”

Mr. Strong, the only candidate to host a gathering at a public location, chose Barbosa’s for a second time, hoping not to break the luck from his previous victory.

As for Mr. Fisher, he said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

“I’m disappointed, but an incumbent is always tough to beat,” Mr. Fisher said. “We did the best we could, but the east and northeast end results really hurt us.”

He plans to stand behind his party and is now in full support of Mr. Strong for the November election.

On the Republican side of the election, Galen Higdon, who was surrounded by family and friends at a private home, got the news he wanted. Mr. Higdon, a sergeant on the Sheriff’s Department patrol division, managed to earn 61 percent of the vote to defeat Brian Carter, an evening shift supervisor in the Sheriff’s Department corrections department.

“It wasn’t winning results, but I am pleased with the outcome,” Mr. Carter said, also surrounded by family and friends at his home.

For Mr. Higdon, the results hadn’t quite set in yet.

“I’m just really grateful and thankful to the voters who exercised their right and supported me today,” Mr. Higdon said. “I really hope that they exercise that right that soldiers fight and die for every day and get out and do it again in November.”

Mr. Carter, who has spent eight years in St. Joseph, said it’s too early to tell what his future holds.

“I’m not going to disappear,” Mr. Carter said. “I’ve been active in the community for eight years and plan to keep it that way.”

What can you expect between now and November for Mr. Strong and Mr. Higdon?

“We’re going to sit down and take it step by step,” Mr. Higdon said. “We’ll take a look at what we’ve done, what we want to do and what we won’t do again.”

Mr. Higdon also added “win in November,” to his plans.

“Well, we’re going to go back at it,” Mr. Strong said. “Just keep presenting the current track record to the voters.”

Megan Tilk can be reached at megantilk@npgco.com.

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joetowner August 6, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Had to be a little eye-opening for Sheriff Strong, as close as the election ended up. He could have some real problems come November...

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joetowner August 6, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brian carter, is that you?

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stjoeproud August 6, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, joetowner, it sounds like a comment that came from a sore loser. :)

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joetowner August 7, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rick Dierenfeldt, is that you?

Looks like I was right about Strong being scared. If you are in the law enforcement cicles, then you may have heard about Strong's back-handed approach to secure an endorsement from the FOP last night...

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deb2007 August 7, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

joetowner, come on don't tease us. i went to school with both strong, higdon and lou ann higdon, she and i grew up together, and i think they are good people (the higdon's) i am not saying strong isn't a good person, however i will be voting for higdon.

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devinbroncs123 August 7, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Strong! LOL I have no in depth comments as it actually doesn't matter to me. Either or, the budget will continue to be brutalized.

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joetowner August 7, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

those strong signs were at the labor union hall, that fence or wall or whatever it is is actually their property. Pretty deceiving though...

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