Practically unknown on the

local political scene, newcomer Sheila Studdard pulled off a stunning

upset Tuesday, ousting longtime Superior Court clerk W.A. "Bud"

Ballard 21,734 to 18,231.

Fayette voters turned out in

droves Tuesday to elect three county officials, decide referendum questions

and participate in state and national elections.

Election officials reported

82.6 percent voter turnout in Fayette, about the same percentage as in

1992 but with many more total registered voters.

Studdard, a Republican, led

during most of the vote counting Tuesday night, receiving 54.38 percent

of the votes cast.

Although Ballard is a Democratic

incumbent in a county that votes heavily for Republicans, observers were

shocked at the upset. Ballard has served in the post for seven terms and

has been a fixture in local politics for decades.

That race was the only big

surprise in local balloting, as Republican A.G. VanLandingham won the

Post 1 County Commission seat 26,014 to 12,610 over Democrat Elizabeth

Jane Barnes, and Republican Marion Key took the Post 3 Board of Education

seat over William Bryan III, 27,788 to 10,914.

Republican challenger Bryan

Hilton narrowly edged out incumbent state Sen. Greg Hecht in Fayette,

9,334 to 8,225, but Hecht pulled enough votes in the rest of his 34th

District to win reelection easily, 31,754 to 19,703.

And, as expected, Fayette's

U.S. congressman, Rep. Mac Mattingly, coasted into reelection over Democratic

challenger Gail Notti, winning 30,903 to 9,783 in Fayette and 146,668

to 83,348 district-wide.

A $65 million bond referendum

to build new schools and improve older ones passed 22,725 to 16,325, and

Fayetteville voters gave the nod to legalizing liquor by the drink, 1,157

to 940.