What's next for Cynthia Lee

Seventy-three percent of Howell County voters reelected incumbent Circuit Clerk Cynthia Lee in last Tuesday's general election. 

In an interview on Nov. 11, Lee told Howell County News it was "overwhelming and humbling at the same time," to receive 9,381 votes of confident in her performance. 

"I'm most grateful for the outcome and the turnout. I thought it would be good, but I didn't know it would be that good," Lee said.

Lee was opposed in the general election by Deputy Circuit Clerk Shanna Earls, who ran as an Independent.

"We remained professional and friendly throughout the campaign," Lee said. Responding to a question about tensions in the office after the election, Lee was clear that respect for her opponent and respect for the work they both do will carry the day. There are no hard feelings, Lee said, and she is looking forward to a jury trial that was set to begin Monday.

Moving forward in a more general sense, Lee will be tackling the day-to-day stressors of managing her department. She was back in the office Wednesday morning after the election. With so-called "First Amendment auditors' stopping by to film her staff members and the challenges of attracting and retaining employees, there is plenty to keep life the in the Courthouse exciting", she reports. 

Lee says her next big project for the future of her office is to tackle cross-training for all employees. 

Though the contested election was a surprise, Lee said her main takeaway from her time on the campaign trail is how important it is for her to get out in the community. 

"It showed me that I need to be more involved. We've lost that sense of community," Lee said in a Nov. 11 interview. "Today, I joined the ladies in serving lunch after the Veterans Day parade. It was small and simple, but very rewarding."