LITTLE ROCK — Incumbent Rick Scott held off challenger Dennis Sobba to win the Republican primary Tuesday for Hill Township constable in Pulaski County.
The unofficial results were: Scott. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,969 Sobba. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,100
The number of precincts reporting were unavailable at press time.
Scott will face lone Democratic contender Jeff “J.D.” Hollomon in the general election in November.
“I like it,” Scott said of defeating Sobba. “I would just assume he hadn’t been in the race.”
Scott and Sobba have run against each other for constable five times. Scott has now won twice.
Scott, 75, said that when he was elected in 2010, he researched the role of a constable and provided more to the county than just filling a position.
Though the Pulaski County Quorum Court turned down Scott’s request for more than $63,000 worth of items, including a siren and ammunition, he said he plans to ask again if he wins in November.
The state constitution gives constables the power to arrest, pursue suspected felons and serve warrants. The position is not paid and constables do not receive funding. The Hill Township position covers Pulaski County north of the Arkansas River.
Sobba, 78, who served four two-year terms as constable, said he was trusted to “do nothing” as a constable.
“That’s what the voters wanted and so they got it,” Sobba said. “They’re not going to give him [Scott] money. ... [Law enforcement and residents] are so scared he’s going to go and stop people and arrest people. He’s just not trained.”
Arkansas, Pages 19 on 05/23/2012