Incumbent candidate Mike Dumas has been re-elected as the District 1 Justice of the Peace on the Union County Quorum Court. Dumas has served as District 1 JP since 2012.
Dumas, a Democrat, won Tuesday’s election with about 51.41 percent of the vote. Dumas was one of only two candidates seeking the position, winning with 583 votes cast for him.
Dumas said after the final vote count that he was feeling “relieved and satisfied and kind of tired.”
“Steve (Ward) ran a good campaign and a good race, as always.” Dumas said. “I’m very satisfied that the voters allowed me to continue to serve on the Quorum Court for another two years.”
Opponent Steven Ward, a Republican, received about 48.59 percent of the vote, or 551 votes. He previously served as District 1 JP from 2010 until 2012.
Ward said he spoke to Dumas on Wednesday morning to congratulate him and tell him to be ready in four years for another challenge.
“I’m a proponent of free enterprise, freedom from government and transparency, so that’s where I’m at,” Ward said.
Dumas ran on a platform of economic and workforce development and good stewardship of taxpayer money. He said he is looking forward to continuing on the Quorum Court, especially implementing new voting machines next year.
“Congratulations to the voters of District 1, because, as I said before, there are no winners or losers … Anyone who puts their name on the ballot is a winner, regardless of what the outcome is,” Dumas said.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].