The Union County Quorum Court will see a shake-up in its make-up next year, according to Tuesday's unofficial primary election results.
A total of 4,848 Union County registered voters -- 26,262 total registered in the county -- participated in the primary election. The final vote unofficial count was completed shortly before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, but did not include provisional ballots, which will likely be counted later this week during a special meeting of the Union County Election Commission.
In the Republican primary for the District 4 Justice of the Peace position, Steven Ward bested incumbent Gary New with 144 (60.5%) votes to New's 94 (39.5%).
"I appreciate everyone who supported me. I thank them all," Ward said on Wednesday. "It was a well-run election and I was happy. I'm happy that it's over."
Ward received twice as many Election Day votes -- 80 -- as New, who received 40 votes on Tuesday. Five absentee ballots were cast for New, compared to three for Ward, but early voters also favored Ward, who received 61 early votes to New's 49.
This won't be the first time Ward has served on the Quorum Court. The retired veterinarian formerly represented District 1 as a JP from 2011 to 2012. Ward most recently ran for the position again in 2018 against Mike Dumas, who continues to represent the district for the county.
Ward has also served as the Chair of the Union County Republican Committee -- which he also represented at the state level for 14 years -- in 2021 and 2022, and as Vice President of the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association.
Ward highlighted the importance of good, clean roads and wise use of taxpayer money in the run-up to the election. He said he intends to be very responsive to his constituents once he is in office.
"Some of these things, you take them as you see them, as they come along," he said Wednesday. "I hope everything runs smoothly where there's not too much to be concerned about."
Ward has been a fixture in the audience at Quorum Court meetings over the past few months, and besides June's meeting, when he'll be at a long-planned family reunion, he said he plans to continue attending every meeting he can in order to be prepared for taking office next year.
"I do plan on being there for sure," he said. "I sure want to be geared up for everything."
New has served on the Quorum Court for 12 years representing District 4, from 2002 to 2012 and currently following his election in 2020. His term will end at the end of the year.
District 9 JP race
Incumbent Benny Vestal won out over challenger Patrick Harrell in the Republican primary for the District 9 JP position. Vestal received 289 (69.64%) votes to Harrell's 126 (30.36%).
"I just want to thank my supporters that allowed me to put a sign in their yards, I thank them for their support," Vestal said on Wednesday. "If they have any issues that need to be addressed in the county, I'll be sure to tend to their needs."
Vestal bested Harrell in both Election Day and early vote counts, with 216 and 73 counted in his favor, respectively, compared to Harrell's 96 Election Day votes and 30 early votes. No absentee ballots were cast in the race.
Vestal said he was disappointed that voter turnout this election was lower than he'd hoped. There were 415 total votes cast in the District 9 JP race, and 4,848 votes cast in Union County in total.
"I would like people to be more informed, and of course the only way you're going to be more informed is to take part," he said.
Vestal has served as the District 9 JP since 2006. He previously was a member of the Parkers Chapel School Board from 1992 to 2002.
Vestal said it is important to him to maintain a strong workforce for the county by providing good benefits and wages to county workers. He also pointed out rising fuel costs, as well as other inflationary pressures, the county faces, noting that government efficiency will be important for JPs to consider in the coming year.
"The unknowns that we run across are always going to be there," he said. "The uncertainties that we have to address, that we've got to implement something for -- we don't have some guidebook to go by, so we need to look for new ideas and new things we can do to meet the public's needs."
"I don't have all the answers; I wish I did. I think the team concept of working together is how we get through those tough times," he continued.
General election
Two JP races are set to be decided in the general election scheduled for November 8. Incumbent District 6 JP Cecil Polk will face Republican challenger Catherine Noyes, while Independent Bobby Bryan will face Republican Patrick Hamaker for the District 10 seat.
Tia Lyons contributed reporting to this story.
Steve Ward
Benny Vestal