A record-breaking 90,000 Knox County voters turned out for Tennessee's earliest presidential primary Tuesday, according to election officials.

Primaries and caucuses were held in 25 states on "Super Tuesday," and Tennessee played a key part in the national political stage.

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton won Tennessee's Democratic primary. According to various exit polls conducted by CNN, a majority of voters in the Democratic primary were female and Caucasian. Clinton ran a strong campaign in these two demographics compared to her rival, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. 

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee narrowly won Tennessee's Republican primary against Arizona Sen. John McCain.

In addition to the presidential primary, several vacant Knox County positions sparked much voter interest in this election.

I think a lot of students are choosing to vote in this election because the candidates are so diverse. Briton Collins

The Knox County Commission had eight vacant seats. Those seats were initially vacated after the State Supreme Court upheld term limits in January 2007.

These positions were filled by appointees and then emptied again in October after the Sunshine lawsuit ruling. Forty-one candidates were vying for the eight seats vacant. 

In the Republican County Commission race, Ruthie Kuhlman won the 4-A seat, the 4-B seat was won by Ed Shouse, Richard Briggs won 5-C seat, the 6-A seat was won by Brad Anders, David Wright won the District 8-B Seat, and Mike Brown won the District 9-A seat.

In the Democratic County Commission race, the 1-A seat was won by Samuel McKenzie, Amy Broyles won the 2-B seat, Finbarr Saunders won the 4-A Seat, Kathy Bryant won the 6-A seat, and Vernon Rose won the District 9-A seat.

Other Knox County elections included the Trustee's Office, Law Director, Property Assessor, County Clerk, Sheriff, Criminal Court Division II and Register of Deeds.

The race for the Trustee's office, just like many county races, was controversial with allegations of inappropriate salaries, nepotism and ethics violations. Republican and former Trustee Fred Sisk won against five other candidates.

The Law Director race was the only race that was actually decided on Tuesday. Republican Bill Lockett won over incumbent John Owings. Lockett is an attorney who has tried hundreds of cases in-state and in federal courts.

Republican Phil Ballard won the Property Assessor Primary against unopposed Democratic candidate Robert Bratton and Republican Mike Lowe, a long-time county trustee.  Ballard is a current county commissioner.

Foster Arnett won the Republican race for County Clerk against Knox County Commission Chairman Scott Moore, and Amy Henley-Vandergriff won the Democratic race.

The large turn-out of voters caused long lines at many polling locations.  The polls were opened from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting did not conclude until around 9 p.m. because any one in line by 8 p.m. was allowed to vote.   Several voters had to wait over an hour to vote in lines that wrapped around buildings.

One polling location was held at the University of Tennessee's University Center. UT Senior Britton Collins who helped conduct voting at this location said many students voted on Tuesday.

"I think a lot of students are choosing to vote in this election because the candidates are so diverse," Collins said.   

More than 36,000 people opted to vote early, according to election officials. Early voting offered citizens an alternative to voting yesterday. For three days, registered Knox County voters had the chance to submit their vote at a time and location convenient for them.