Malone wins second term as coroner

Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett congratulates Elzie Malone for winning another term as Franklin County's coroner. | Nathan Strickland/FCT

The Franklin County Coroner’s race was decided by a 742-vote margin showing incumbent Elzie Malone knocking off challenger John D. James in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

James and Malone were both present at the Franklin County Courthouse as the final numbers arrived.

The final unofficial numbers showed Malone carrying 3,597 votes and James ending up 2,855 votes.

Once James realized Malone’s votes were just too much to overcome, James went over and shook hands with Malone and congratulated him on his victory.

“I went and congratulated him on a job well done,” James said. “We both presented our platforms to the people and they just liked his better and that’s how the numbers came out.”

Malone has held the title of coroner for the past four years and is glad the majority of the community re-elected him into the position.

“The hometown people really came through for me pretty well,” Malone said as the final votes were tallied. “I knew it was going to be a pretty tight race because John is well-known around here for his involvement with fire services. Anytime you put yourself out there for the people to decide, you never are certain about the way people feel so it can make you nervous. But I am happy the vote went the way it did.”

Malone believes the quality of education is key to the position and said that may have been one of the factors that convinced voters to choose him.

James said it was a well-fought campaign and that is just how the numbers fell.

“That’s how the numbers came out and we will just roll with it,” James said.

Since there were no Republican candidates to contest the coroner spot come November, Malone will carry his title for another four years as decided by the people of Franklin County.