1st-time entrant is new JP; incumbent loses in Pulaski County

A newcomer unseated the incumbent who'd represented District 10 on the Pulaski County Quorum Court for two decades, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's runoff primary election.

Two Democrats faced off for the seat: Barry Jefferson and incumbent Robert Green. They both won more votes than a third opponent, Karega "Red" Wilson, in the general Democratic primary.

Unofficial results, with 22 precincts reporting, were:

Jefferson 187

Green 96

[RUNOFF RESULTS: Click here for full list]

There are no Republican opponents in the November general election, meaning Jefferson will take the seat.

"I just want to thank the folks in District 10," Green said when reached by phone after the vote.

The 57-year-old associate minister was first elected to the Quorum Court in 1997. He had campaigned on a platform of transportation, education and law enforcement, in that order.

Green said he has no advice for Jefferson, just that he "prays" Jefferson will represent the district well. Green added that he was not disappointed because his loss was God's will.

"When God wanted me to be there, he put me there," Green said.

Once Green's current term ends in December, Jefferson will become one of 15 justices of the peace on the Pulaski County Quorum Court. They are elected for two-year terms and control the county's $145 million budget.

Each member is paid a stipend for attending meetings. That amount is capped at $14,131 annually, though most members earned $12,600 last year for attending the 24 scheduled meetings.

District 10 encompasses downtown North Little Rock and extends east to the county line, bordered by U.S. 67 to the north and U.S. 70 to the south.

Residents of District 10 have attended Quorum Court meetings over the past several months to express dissatisfaction with pervasive flooding around their homes.

Jefferson, 43, is the director of environmental services at Arkansas Heart Hospital. He also used to operate a consulting firm, Hall & Jefferson Enterprises.

He's lived in District 10 for about eight years and said previously that he wants to invest county money in the area for certain infrastructure changes.

Jefferson also has said the issues people care about are sewage and drainage problems, safety concerns and "having someone they can call and depend on."

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Jefferson said he wanted to thank Green for his years of service and "all the dedication he gave to the community." He then thanked his volunteers and his voters who entrusted him to serve in office.

Jefferson said he's looking forward to getting to know the other justices of the peace and sitting down with County Judge Barry Hyde. He wants to discuss "what path we can go down so that the people in District 10 are being considered."

Metro on 06/20/2018