It looks like Mike Arledge and Bo Harris are headed to a runoff on Aug. 23, to determine who will face Selvain McQueen in the general election, to become the next Lowndes County sheriff.
Arledge and Harris narrowed Republican field of four, garnering 49.66 percent (4,317 and 36.06 percent (3,135 votes) of the vote, respectively.
As the circuit clerk”s office continues to finalize election results and count affidavit ballots, there is a “very slim chance” Arledge could edge out Harris for the win, said Circuit Clerk Haley Salazar.
As Democrat McQueen, who solidly beat out three candidates with 54.8 percent of the vote (3,034 votes), gears up for the general election, Harris and Arledge have another challenge — getting people to return to the polls for the runoff.
“We worked hard, and it”s gonna be tough. Only 36 percent of the voters out of 40,000 registered voters showed up to vote, so it”s gonna be tough,” said Harris, who ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2007, against Sheriff Butch Howard. Howard is retiring this year.
“We feel good about our supporters, and we feel like our supporters will go back out and vote,” Arledge said. “I think the key thing is that people get out and vote. I think that”s the key thing for everybody.”
Historically, runoffs draw a significantly smaller number of voters than primaries, which also are scant compared to general elections.
“Typically, for a runoff, we just don”t have the voter turnout anywhere near like we had for the first election, and that”s a sad thing. … They need to come back and participate in the final election process,” said Salazar. “History tells us that they don”t, but I would like to see a change in the trend this year.”
Harris, a retired game warden, plans to continue to get the word out about the runoff to draw crowds to the polls.
“I am confident,” he said of the runoff. “I want to give the people the level of law enforcement service that they deserve.”
“It”s my ambition to prove to the people of Lowndes County that this department can be run professionally — not that it” s not now — and take care of everybody”s problems and treat everyone equally without politics,” Harris continued, noting he will “be there for them, no matter how big or how small their problems.”
“We”re excited about it,” Arledge said about making it into the runoff. “We”re thankful for all our supporters, and we”re gearing up for another race.”
It was close to midnight before Arledge found out he likely was headed into a runoff.
“With four (candidates), it”s just about a given that you”re gonna have a runoff,” Arledge admitted. “But then I hoped — as it came in, it looked like we”d be close.”
Arledge stepped down as justice court judge to seek the sheriff”s seat.
McQueen, interim Columbus police chief, also plans to continue to “get the word out,” as the Nov. 8 general election approaches.
“If you really look at Lowndes County, Lowndes County is basically the center of attention. You”ve got MUW, Mississippi State, all these junior colleges. This is an educated community. They”re educated people, and they want the best possible protection that money can buy,” McQueen said. “You want your person and your property protected, and I feel that the citizens of Lowndes County, they know who can deliver the services. Look at the track record.”
Salazar”s office will confirm the status of the Republican primary for sheriff, today.
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