Fraley wins Tuesday’s Carter County Sheriff Primary

Published 12:41 am Wednesday, May 4, 2022

After a long campaign against three other candidates for Carter County Sheriff, Mike Fraley narrowly claimed victory over incumbent Dexter Lunceford by 352 votes.

Now Fraley must prepare for the August 4 General Election where he will be going against Independent candidate Rocky Croy.

Fraley was celebrating with campaign workers at the Meredith Cabins after the results were announced.

“I can rest a little more easier than a couple of hours ago when you saw me pacing at the Election Commission,” said Fraley who still was trying to take in his victory. “I am in shock that out of a four-man race to have the numbers that we did. It’s been a long race – 16 to 17 months non-stop  – and I am thankful to the good Lord above for watching out for me and I am thankful for all the friends and family that are here.”

Fraley said he had a clear plan from day one and stayed true to what he was planning on doing. He congratulated the other candidates and wished them the best.

Starting out his day at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Fraley was appreciative of the voters who took time to vote. Now, he is counting on the same voters to help clear another hurdle in August.

“We have another hurdle to overcome in August but I feel confident that we are going to prevail,” Fraley said. “I am looking forward to going to work on Monday at the Police Academy to get my mind off this. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I am thankful that it turned out the way it did.”

Fraley had nothing but praise for Lunceford who was seeking to become the first three-term sheriff elected to office.

“I retired under Sheriff Lunceford and he is a great man and has been a great leader for the sheriff’s office,” Fraley said. “We had some differences in philosophies, but we ran a clean race between us and I commend him for that. I will help him in any way I can in the future. He is an honorable man.”