Former county judge candidate Alfred Carroll announced Wednesday he is endorsing Ivan Whitfield for the county’s top executive branch seat in Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff election.
Whitfield faces Dutch King in the runoff, in which early voting is ongoing this week. Both faced Carroll in the May 22 primary, but neither secured enough votes for an all-out win. The winner will face Republican candidate Justice of the Peace Ted Harden in the Nov. 6 general election.
Carroll said in an emailed statement that after assessing the election and consulting with his campaign chairman, volunteers and family, he had arrived at the decision for several reasons.
“Throughout the campaign, Whitfield has shown the kind of mental toughness and even temperament that will be necessary to be successful as Jefferson County judge,” Carroll said in the announcement.
Carroll said Whitfield has always expressed confidence in him and provided support for his endeavours.
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“Finally, I believe Assistant Chief Whitfield will have an open ear to the voices of the people as he works with Quorum Court members, business leaders, the clergy and others to improve the quality of life for Jefferson County citizens,” Carroll said.
Certified results from the primary showed Whitfield with 3,706 votes (40.8 percent) to 3,408 (37.5 percent) for King and 1,969 (21.7 percent) for Carroll.
Whitfield is assistant chief of the Pine Bluff Police Department and is scheduled to retire July 1. King is a former Pine Bluff mayor. Carroll is a justice of the peace, but opted to run for county judge instead of seeking re-election.
Contacted earlier this week, both Democratic runoff candidates said they are continuing to talk to potential voters.
“We’re going to stay the course, continue knocking on doors, making calls, and do what brought us to this point,” Whitfield said. “We’re going to reach out to all the people we can and encourage them to get out and vote.”
King said he also would be trying to reach as many people as he can and tell them how important their votes can be.
“They want to know about jobs and I think we’re on the verge of being in a very good position to make that happen,” King said.
The position became open when current Jefferson County Judge Mike Holcomb chose to run for District 10 of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Holcomb faces Democrat Dorothy Hall of Sheridan in the June 12 runoff.
Early voting for the runoff will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday and again Monday at the county courthouse. The runoff election will be held 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 12 at polling sites.