Incumbent Randal Lewis fended off a challenge from independent candidate Walter Andrews to garner another term as Carter County Trustee.

Lewis, the Republican nominee for the office, took an early lead in the race when the early voting numbers were tabulated with 82.7 percent of the vote to Andrews’ 17.25 percent.

As the precincts reported in Lewis captured a victory in each of the 22 precincts, but Andrews was able to narrow the margin slightly.

When all of the votes were calculated, Lewis garnered 8,259 votes (80.1 percent) to Andrews’ 2,045 votes (19.83 percent). Seven write-in votes were cast, but there were no certified write-in candidates in the Trustee’s race.

“I just want to thank my family, friends, and my staff for all of the hard work they have put into this election and campaign,” Lewis told the Elizabethton Star on Thursday evening after the results were announced. “I really appreciate what everyone has done.

Lewis has served as Carter County Trustee for more than two decades, winning his first election to the post in 1994.

In the May Primary, Lewis was unopposed as he sought the Republican Party nomination in his re-election bid.

“I appreciate all of the confidence the people of Carter County have instilled in my staff and me in giving us another four years to serve them,” Lewis said, adding it is humbling to have received such an overwhelming amount of support for his re-election bid. “I am looking forward to continuing to work with the taxpayers and helping them in any way that I can.”

Lewis has been married for more than 35 years to the former Kim Davis. The couple has two children — a son Chad Lewis and his wife Brittany Scott Lewis, and a daughter Andrea Lewis. They have two grandchildren, Gracie and Carter. Lewis and his family are members of Union Hill Free Will Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Lewis is a member of the Tennessee Trustee’s Association and has previously held the office of Treasurer for the organization. He has completed the University of Tennessee’s Center for Government Training Program and is designated as a Certified Public Administrator.