By BOB HIGH

When Chris Batten managed to become sheriff by a razor-thin margin of seven votes in 2002, little did he realize that four years later his bid for re-election would single him out in historical fashion.

Batten is unopposed in the Democrat primary this spring and that’s the first time Democrats in this county have presented just one official choice to voters in at least 100 years.

A thorough check of local newspapers from 1924 to the present, plus area daily newspapers from 1922 to 1906 showed at least two Democrats wanted to be sheriff -- until this year.

And, Batten has no official Republican opposition for the November ballot.

The highwater mark for the number wanting to be sheriff in the Democrat primary was in 1974 when 12 sought the nomination.

“I’m honored to be the one making what some people are calling history,” Batten said when apprised of the milestone.

“It’s very surprising and humbling that no one filed to run against me this year. My entire staff deserves the credit for apparently making the public happy with what we’ve done for the past four years,” the Welches Creek Township resident added.

“I promised that I’d make drugs my top priority when I took office, and I kept my promise. And getting drugs off the street remains my top priority. It’s the leading factor in crime and the No. 1 reason young minds are altered and this robs so many of our children of promising careers.

“I’ve done what I thought was right from the first day in office, and I’ll continue to do this to the best of my ability,” the sheriff said.

“I can’t make everyone happy and no one can. We’ve been working hard to make most of the people in this county happy, and my family at work and my family at home – particularly my wife and children – have allowed this office to make a difference the last four years,” Batten added with a smile.