Results from Tuesday’s preferential primary and nonpartisan judicial general election show a night of decisive victories for several incumbents in Jefferson County, while other high-profile races appear headed for a runoff.
With all 170 precincts reporting, a five-way battle has led to a runoff in the race for county judge. Under Arkansas law, since no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote, a runoff between Efrem B. Neely Sr. and Gerald Robinson is expected March 31.
Unofficial returns were:
Efrem B. Neely Sr.;2,076
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Gerald Robinson;1,776
Eric Walden Jr.;1,711
Jeff Edwards;1,530
Michael J. Turley;521
Other countywide races saw more definitive outcomes.
For county clerk, Shawndra Taggart won the Democratic nomination against Rosetta La Joyce Evans Giddens.
Taggart;4,448
Giddens;3,014
For county assessor, Gloria Tillman comfortably held her seat in a race against Bruce White Jr.
Tillman;4,884
White;2,593
Chad Kelley edged out Jamal Gordon in a tight race for county coroner.
Kelley;3,865
Gordon;3,658
In the race for prosecuting attorney of the 11th West Judicial Circuit, Karres Manning-Center and Evelyn Moorehead were the top two finishers in a four-candidate field where no one reached the majority threshold. Joe West and Mircha King were the other candidates:
The unofficial tallies were, including votes from Jefferson and Lincoln counties:
Manning-Center;3,303
Moorehead;3,225
West:2,718
King:852
In justice of the peace races:
District 1: A runoff is set Jackie Tillmon (321) and incumbent Alfred Carroll (263). Deshaun Eans (99) was the other candidate.
District 2: Reginald Adams (408) defeated Leo Smith (243).
District 3: Reginald Johnson (260) defeated Joseph O’Neal III (256).
District 4: Oscar Bullard Jr. (681) defeated Patricia Royal Johnson (302).
District 5: Ivan Whitfield (511) defeated incumbent Jimmy Fisher Sr. (320).
District 6: Randy Green (491) defeated Glen Brown Sr. (292).
District 9: George H. Barnes Sr. (326) defeated Cedric Jackson (315).
District 13: Brenda Bishop Gaddy (430) defeated Sherman Ferguson (356).
In the race for Jefferson County circuit clerk, Connie Compton defeated Barbara Collins.
Compton;3,847
Collins;3,480
Results remain unofficial until certified by the Jefferson County Election Board.