Williams edges Hasting in close Circuit Judge finish

Published 11:17 pm Tuesday, June 5, 2018

In a finish that came down to the count of a final few precinct boxes, incumbent Martha Williams narrowly edged out challenger Melvin Hasting to retain her seat as one of Cullman County’s two circuit judges.

Williams defeated Hasting in the Republican primary election Tuesday by a count of 7,793 votes to Hasting’s 7,491. With no Democratic challenger in this year’s candidate field, Williams effectively wins the seat outright, facing no opposition in the fall’s general election.

Once the race finally had been decided, a relieved Williams, watching the returns with others gathered Tuesday evening at the Cullman Civci Center, said she is grateful for the support that put her over the top.

“It was a very close race, and I just appreciate all my supporters — everybody who’s helped me,” she said. “I’m looking forward to another six years.”

Hasting could not be reached by phone for comment Tuesday evening.

The win secures Williams a second consecutive six-year term on the circuit judge’s bench, alongside fellow Republican Greg Nicholas, whose seat was not on the ballot this year.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.