The Bell tolls again

Terry Bell wins County Executive race in a landslide

Terry Bell left little doubt about who Warren County voters wanted leading county government for the next four years.

Bell, the Republican incumbent, rolled to reelection Thursday night with 5,783 votes in the four-candidate race for Warren County Executive. Democrat J.C. Petit Jr. finished second with 1,916 votes, followed by James Ferrell with 424 and Jason McEwen with 268.

Bell collected 68.9% of the 8,391 votes cast among the four candidates, finishing 3,867 votes ahead of Petit. His 5,783 votes were also more than double the combined total of 2,608 received by his three opponents.

The support for Bell was widespread on Election Day. Bell carried 19 of Warren County's 20 precincts in day-of voting, with Petit taking the lone exception at the Chamber of Commerce by a 23-18 margin.

After the results were in, Bell said the size of the victory reinforced his belief that voters were pleased with the direction of the county during his first term.

“I want to thank everybody who went out and voted for me. It's a big boost of confidence to get that many votes,” said Bell. “I really think we've done some good things for Warren County.”

While voters gave Bell another four years in office by a commanding margin, he stressed Thursday night that the election would not change how his office serves Warren County residents.

“But if you didn't vote for me, you can come right in - I don't ask about that,” said Bell. “I want to send a thank you to all the people who helped with the campaign.”

Petit came up short in his bid to unseat Bell, but reflected on a campaign that allowed him to connect with people throughout Warren County and fulfill something that had personal meaning dating back more than three decades.

“I have met more people in the community than I ever have,” said Petit during the Warren First/Warren County Way live election broadcast. “This all started in 1993 - I was turning 18 that summer and my dad, not being from the US, instilled in me the power of voting. Three years later, he got his citizenship and was able to vote.”

With his campaign coming to an end Thursday, Petit said thoughts of his father had made the final days particularly meaningful.

“In the last two days, it's been emotional. I really wish my dad was alive to see this,” said Petit. “Tomorrow starts a new chapter of life for JC Petit.”

The victory for Bell also ends a recent trend of turnover in the county executive's office. Warren County had elected a different county executive in each of the last three elections, with Herschel Wells Sr. winning in 2014, Jimmy Haley taking the office in 2018 and Bell defeating Haley in 2022. Bell's victory Thursday makes him the first county executive during that stretch to win a second consecutive term.