Two Shelby County Republicans claimed decisive victories in Tuesday’s elections.

Chris Curry of Indian Valley will become Shelby County’s next sheriff while State Rep. Mike Hill of Columbiana will begin his fifth term in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Curry defeated democrat James E. Tucker with 81 percent of the vote (38,848 to 8,923) with 186 votes going to write-in candidates.

Curry, 55, ran the successful 1990 campaign of James Jones, who he will replace as sheriff.

He has been employed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years where he has served as chief deputy since 2001, captain from 1990-2001 and reserve deputy from 1980-90.

During his victory speech Curry said, &uot;I’m very grateful. I intend to make sure we continue to develop our employees (in the sheriff’s office).&uot;

This was his first run for elected office.

&uot;I’m just appreciative of the citizens and the vote turnout, the people that helped us accomplish this. And I’m appreciative of the other two candidates in this race, the type campaign they ran and their genuine concern for Shelby County.

&uot;The job Sheriff (James) Jones has done and how he has helped me develop my skills and leadership abilities had a great deal to do with me winning this race.

Also all the hard work and professionalism of the sheriff’s office helped me to be up here to do this,&uot; he said.

Hill, 53, received 82 percent of the vote to defeat democratic candidate Mack McKinzie for state Senate District No. 41.

Some 11,700 people voted for Hill, with 2,566 for McKinzie and 17 write-in.

&uot;I’m just excited to serve the people of this district for four more years,&uot; Hill said.

Hill has served as chairman of the Shelby County legislative delegation and vice chairman of the House Banking and Insurance Committee.

He said the next four years hold a lot of potential for Shelby County.

&uot;We’ll probably see some needed reforms in education,&uot; Hill said. &uot;Hopefully the economy turns around and we can generate some revenue for the general fund and the education fund.&uot;

Henry E. &uot;Hank&uot; Erwin won the race for state Senator, District No. 14. Erwin, a Republican, ran unopposed and received 98 percent of the votes for a total of 15,645. There were 257 write-in votes.

Republican Steve French defeated Libertarian candidate John Turner 11,372 votes to 1,706 votes with 75 votes going to write-in candidates. French received 86 percent of the vote.

In District 16 for state senator, J.T. &uot;Jabo&uot; Waggoner, Republican, ran unopposed and carried 99 percent of the vote against 108 write-in votes. Waggoner received a total of 12,839 votes.

For state representative district No. 42, Democrat James M. &uot;Jimmy&uot; Martin received 663 votes (60 percent) to defeat Republican Allen Caton who received 434 votes. There was 4 write-ins.

Republican Mary Sue McClurkin ran unopposed for state representative district 43 and received 14,857 votes (99 percent) against 99 write-in votes.

State representative district 48 was won by Republican Jim Carns with 3,932 votes (99 percent) against 27 write-in votes.

Republican Cam Ward won state representative district 49 with 7,635 votes (99 percent). There was 73 write-in votes.

State representative district 50 was won by Republican Jim McClendon with 1,343 votes (62 percent) against Democrat Marilyn Quarles’ 821 votes and four write-in votes.

For Circuit Court Judge, 18th Judicial Circuit, Place No. 2, Republican Al Crowson ran unopposed with 40,264 votes (99 percent) against 345 write-in votes.

Republican Ron Jackson ran unopposed for District Court Judge, Shelby County, Place No. 2 with 40,217 votes (99 percent) against 290 write-in votes.

Doug Ballard Jr. ran unopposed for Shelby County coroner with 40,453 votes (99 percent) against 307 write-in votes.

Republican Evan Major was unopposed for Shelby County Superintendent of Education with 40,518 votes (99 percent) against 397 write-in votes.

Republican Peg Hill was unopposed for Board Member, Place 1, Shelby County Board of Education with 40,664 votes (99 percent) against 290 write-in votes.

Republican Annette Skinner ran unopposed for Shelby County Property Tax Commissioner with 41,229 votes (99 percent) against 275 write-in votes