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Whipper wins: Former Harrisburg police chief is GOP nominee for sheriff

A former Harrisburg Police Department chief punched his ticket Tuesday night to be the Republican nominee for Saline County sheriff in November.

J. "Whipper" Johnson defeated two competitors to take the nomination - Saline County deputy Craig Williams and Saline County resident Casey Perkins.

Unofficial vote totals Tuesday show Johnson with 1,289 votes, Williams with 1,075 and Perkins with 89.

While most people with an interest in the Saline County primary races were gathered at the county courthouse Tuesday night, Johnson instead visited with friends in his personal gym about a block away.

He said he was appreciative of the voters who gave him the nod over his opponents.

"I'm certainly pleased with voter turnout in this election," Johnson said. "I think there were about 1,000 more votes, give or take a couple hundred, than the last time they had this race."

Johnson said he felt that the win was an affirmation by voters of his campaign promises and his law enforcement experience.

"I'm glad to see the voters made their decisions based on experience and qualifications rather than politics," he said. "Now I'm ready to move forward toward the general election."

Johnson will face Saline County Chief Deputy Ken Clore, a Democrat, in the Nov. 6 election.

Casey Perkins
Craig Williams