Chuck Voelker defeats Rick Whitson in a close race for District 1 Commissioner in Montgomery County.

Voelker edged past Whitson in yesterday's election to defeat the former County Emergency Management Director by a 40 vote margin. Voelker's unofficial final tally was 690 to Whitson's 650. Leroy “Rusty” Duke finished third in the race with 238 total votes.

In last night's other local race, the Coffeyville half cent sales tax was approved by voters on a vote of 703 to 359. The proceeds from the tax will be split 50-50 between the city and Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for first-response and EMS services. This tax replaces an existing sales tax that is set to expire.