By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

For the first time in nearly a decade, there will be a new, but familiar face in the Shelby County Courthouse to serve as probate judge as Allison Boyd received 14,147 votes, or 60.95% to defeat her two opponents in the Tuesday, June 5, primary election.

Boyd will replace current Shelby County Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister who sought not to seek re-election because of retirement.

Boyd defeated republican opponents Joe Starnes and Stella Tipton and will have no Democratic opposition in the general election.

Starnes received 5,724 votes, or 24.66% while Tipton received 3,341 votes, or 14.39%.

“I’m just really happy first of all to just be able to start our new normal for our family,” Boyd said. “I’m excited to be able to continue to serve the county and get back to work and continue the work that I have already started.”

Boyd has been key in helping create a better mental health system in Shelby County as she has served as Mental Health Programs Coordinator the last two years and she plans to continue that work, as well as developing e-filing and technology systems in her new role as probate judge.

“I’m just excited to continue to work with the county on mental health and the initiatives that we’ve already started,” Boyd said. “Just in their infancy stages and in developing the courts e-filing and technology systems that we’ve purchased but we haven’t fully implemented. I just want to thank the people for coming out and voting. I’ve gotten a lot of support today and thoughts, prayers and texts and it means a lot to me.”

Boyd also has experience as a practicing attorney, experience within the probate court, and experience as a special probate judge.

As legal counsel, Boyd has reviewed all cases filed with the probate court and performed legal research and analysis of cases involving estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and condemnations. She was appointed as a special probate judge, presiding over all types of cases in the probate court including over 150 adoptions and 150 involuntary commitment hearings.

Boyd believes this past experience was key to her winning the Shelby County probate judge election.

“I think it was key because I had a good understanding of the office and a good understanding of ways that we were doing things right and areas that we can improve,” Boyd said.

Attempts to reach other candidates for comment were unsuccessful.