Mike Dumas believes he has the leadership it takes to be District 1’s Justice of the Peace.
A two-way race is underway between Dumas and opponent Dr. Steven Ward for the District 1 position. Dumas is also running for a spot on the Union County Democratic Committee, saying he has always run for office as a Democrat. He will face off against his Republican opponent in the Nov. 6 General Election.
Dumas has served three consecutive terms on the Union County Quorum Court since 2012, and was Union County judge for 10 years, between 1980 and 1990. He was mayor of El Dorado for 16 years, between 1990 and 2002 and from 2006 until 2010. Currently, Dumas is the president and CEO of the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.
Dumas said he hopes to serve the public by acting as their voice on the Quorum Court. He wants to provide the services residents expect from their county government by establishing a budget that covers those services, then living within the budget.
“My experience and compassion for public service,” Dumas said when asked what qualities make him the best person for the job.
Dumas has lived in El Dorado most of his life and graduated from El Dorado High School. He attended Ouachita Baptist College and Southern State College, now known as Southern Arkansas University. He is married to Betty and has one son, David. Before he became a public servant, Dumas worked in radio and television throughout the 1960s and ‘70s.
The office of Justice of the Peace is a part-time position. It paid $5,522 in 2017.