Adams, Grube in runoff for Houston County Superior Court judgeship

G.E. “Bo” Adams and Jeffrey L. Grube are in a runoff for the Houston County Superior Court judgeship.

Adams kept a strong lead throughout Tuesday’s election night but couldn’t quite capture the 50 percent majority required to take the seat. The runoff is July 26.

“It was close,” Adams after the results were in. “It would have been nice to avoid a runoff, but that’s fine. We got good numbers, and we’re excited and ready to press on.”

Adams captured 3,963 votes, or 45.73 percent of total votes cast, according to unofficial vote totals from the Houston County Board of Elections. Grube garnered 1,788 of the votes, or 20.63 percent of total votes cast.

Efforts to reach Grube for comment late Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Bonnie “Michelle” Smith followed closely behind Grube, while Walter G. “Bo” Sammons Jr. trailed the pack.

Smith picked up 1,672 votes, or 19.29 percent of the votes. Sammons captured 1,235 votes, or 14.25 percent of the vote. Efforts to reach Smith were unsuccessful late Tuesday. Sammons said he was very appreciative of those who supported him.

In spite of the comfortable margin over the other candidates, Adams said he and his election team will continue to work hard “to finish up strong and win.”

He expressed thanks for his supporters.

“Obviously, this today, we were looking at the finish line. We wanted to go strong pursuing it, and then, you know, we got here. ... We’re in the top two for the runoff. We’ll get a game plan together and stick to it and do well, I expect.”

His chief concern is a potential for a low turnout in the runoff.

“I hope people take the time to remember to vote,” he said.

Adams has been in private practice with fellow attorney Ed Varner for 20 years. He has handled cases ranging from family law, personal injury and real estate to business and civil litigation.

He also serves as the Warner Robins Municipal Court judge, as an associate magistrate judge and as a judge pro tempore in Houston County State Court and Houston County Juvenile Court.

Grube, who has been in private practice in Warner Robins since 1979, has handled death-penalty cases as a criminal defense attorney.

He also is the Centerville Municipal Court judge and previously served as a Warner Robins Municipal Court judge and an associate juvenile judge in Houston County. In addition, he served more than nine years as the Houston County school board attorney.

The winner in the runoff takes the seat being vacated by Chief Judge George Nunn, who is retiring in December. The new judge will take office in January.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 11:23 PM with the headline "Adams, Grube in runoff for Houston County Superior Court judgeship."