Jefferson County voters have elected Efrem B. Neely Sr. as the Democratic nominee for county judge, defeating incumbent Judge Gerald Robinson in Tuesday’s Democratic primary runoff election.
With all polling sites reporting, the final but unofficial results were:
Neely;3,616
Robinson;1,241
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Neely will now face Republican Nate Todd, a retired U.S. Army colonel, in the Nov. 3 general election. The winner will be sworn into office Jan. 1, 2027.
In the Justice of the Peace District 1 race, Jackie Tillmon secured victory over incumbent Alfred Carroll Sr.
The final but unofficial results were:
Tillmon;273
Carroll;168
No candidates filed in other parties for this position, meaning Tillmon will begin serving Jan. 1, 2027.
The runoff election followed competitive March 3 primaries that failed to produce majority winners and set the stage for two closely watched contests in county government. Tuesday’s outcome in the county judge race followed a crowded primary field in which Neely led with 2,080 votes, while Robinson received 1,779 votes. Neither candidate, however, earned more than 50% of the vote, forcing the runoff.
The race developed against the backdrop of ongoing tensions within Jefferson County government, particularly between the county judge’s office and the Quorum Court. Disputes over budgeting, financial oversight, and payment of county obligations have surfaced repeatedly in recent years, drawing scrutiny from both officials and the public.
Those concerns became central themes throughout the campaign.
Robinson, outlining his platform ahead of the runoff, emphasized his approach to leadership and continuity in county operations. Neely, meanwhile, framed his campaign around change and accountability, highlighting his priorities for improving county government and rebuilding public trust.
Both candidates also addressed the county’s financial challenges in prior forums. The county judge serves as the chief executive of county government, overseeing administrative operations and implementing budgets approved by the Quorum Court — making cooperation between the two bodies a key issue for voters.
The District 1 race also advanced to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority in the primary, with Jackie Tillmon finishing first (321 votes) and incumbent Alfred Carroll placing second (263).
The contest has focused heavily on representation and accountability in Quorum Court. Tillmon emphasized her commitment to community focus and responsiveness. Carroll, pointing to his experience on the Quorum Court, defended his record and outlined his priorities moving forward.
The race also reflects broader concerns about the Quorum Court’s role in county governance, particularly amid past disagreements over spending decisions and financial oversight.
The runoff elections came at a time when the Jefferson County government has faced increased public attention over internal disagreements and fiscal management. In recent years, Quorum Court meetings have at times exposed divisions among county officials, particularly over budget approvals, fund allocations, and oversight responsibilities.
Candidates in both races have acknowledged those tensions, offering differing visions for improving collaboration and restoring confidence in county leadership.
