Luckett defeats Brown in rematch

Published 10:23 am Wednesday, November 4, 2015

The tax assessor rematch is over, and this year’s end result gave redemption to the candidate who sought to unseat the incumbent.

With 6,434 votes, Ben Luckett will be Warren County’s next tax assessor. Luckett garnered 57.25 percent of the vote compared to incumbent Angela Brown’s 42.71 percent or 4,800 votes.

These numbers do not include absentee and provisional ballots.

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Luckett faced Brown four years ago in the same race but lost.

“We ran against each other, and I lost and had to find something else to do for four years,” he said. “This is bittersweet.”

Ben Luckett said he was overwhelmed by the support of the public.

“I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation for them,” he said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Brown said she hasn’t counted anything and she’ll be at work tomorrow morning.

“I’m just excited that I’ve had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Warren County in a spirit of excellence,” she said. “My staff and I have done an outstanding job for Warren County, and I’m just excited about whatever journey that God is preparing me for in the future.”

Brown said she wanted to thank the citizens who voted for, supported and believed in her.

“I had a good journey as the Warren County Tax Assessor, I must say that,” she said. “We’ve done a great job in turning the county around and delivering non-bias.”

Luckett said he’s glad to know he’ll be where he feels like he should, but he wishes it would have been four years sooner.

“It’s kind of a rebuilding process,” he said. “We had an experienced staff and everybody knew their job. Now we’re starting over.”

Luckett said he’s got a few former coworkers he’s trying to bring back on staff, adding that’s a priority.

As for what’s next for Brown, she said that’s in the hands of God.

“God always has plans for me,” she said. “I stand on Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the thoughts that I have for you,’ so I know God always has exciting plans for me.”

Brown said this is not the end of her political career.

“I’ve done an outstanding job for the citizens of Warren County, and I’m excited,” she said. “I don’t know which direction God is taking me in or which political arena, but what I will say is I’ve done an outstanding job at the tax assessor’s office.”

Luckett defeated Brian Craig Breithaupt in the Republican primary in August with 68.57 percent of the votes with 3,127 votes to Breithaupt’s 1,422 votes.

“I think Ben ran a good race, and he’s certainly qualified to do the job, and Warren County would do good to have him as the next tax assessor,” Breithaupt said previously.