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Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong receives congratulations Tuesday night at his watch party at Barbosa’s Castillo. Mr. Strong won the Democratic nomination against Ron Fisher.

There was only one silent moment in Sheriff Mike Strong’s night Tuesday — one long enough to take in a breath before the cheers, shouts and celebration began.

With celebration headquarters set up at Barbosa’s Castillo restaurant, Mr. Strong and his slew of supporters had their eyes glued to either a television or laptop for about an hour after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The result — Mr. Strong won the Democratic spot for Buchanan County sheriff against Ron Fisher, a marshal in the courthouse, by just 366 votes.

“It was closer than I wanted, but it’s a win,” Mr. Strong said. “I’m glad it’s over with, and I’m glad we won.”

Mr. Strong, the only candidate to host a gathering at a public location, chose Barbosa’s for a second time, hoping not to break the luck from his previous victory.

As for Mr. Fisher, he said he doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

“I’m disappointed, but an incumbent is always tough to beat,” Mr. Fisher said. “We did the best we could, but the east and northeast end results really hurt us.”

He plans to stand behind his party and is now in full support of Mr. Strong for the November election.

On the Republican side of the election, Galen Higdon, who was surrounded by family and friends at a private home, got the news he wanted. Mr. Higdon, a sergeant on the Sheriff’s Department patrol division, managed to earn 61 percent of the vote to defeat Brian Carter, an evening shift supervisor in the Sheriff’s Department corrections department.

“It wasn’t winning results, but I am pleased with the outcome,” Mr. Carter said, also surrounded by family and friends at his home.

For Mr. Higdon, the results hadn’t quite set in yet.

“I’m just really grateful and thankful to the voters who exercised their right and supported me today,” Mr. Higdon said. “I really hope that they exercise that right that soldiers fight and die for every day and get out and do it again in November.”

Mr. Carter, who has spent eight years in St. Joseph, said it’s too early to tell what his future holds.

“I’m not going to disappear,” Mr. Carter said. “I’ve been active in the community for eight years and plan to keep it that way.”

What can you expect between now and November for Mr. Strong and Mr. Higdon?

“We’re going to sit down and take it step by step,” Mr. Higdon said. “We’ll take a look at what we’ve done, what we want to do and what we won’t do again.”

Mr. Higdon also added “win in November,” to his plans.

“Well, we’re going to go back at it,” Mr. Strong said. “Just keep presenting the current track record to the voters.”

Megan Tilk can be reached at megantilk@npgco.com.