Two new judges will occupy justice court inthe next term while incumbents will continue to serve asconstables.

    Chris King was elected Tuesday to serve as Justice Court Judge PostTwo.  The Republican Kingdefeated Democratic candidate Carl brown by 2,921 to 2,709votes.

    There was no incumbent in the race following the retirement of AnnReeves.

    “I’m just excited,” King said of his victory. “I appreciateeverybody that helped me.”

    King had a longer wait on Tuesday night than most candidates. Kingtrailed for most of the night, but by the time votes cast onElection Day were tabulated, King had a small margin of victory.However, it remained less than the number of absentee ballotsremaining to be counted.

    That count was not complete – and King’s victory assured – untilapproximately 3 a.m. Wednesday.

    “You have to be confident in yourself, but you don’t ever know howit will turn out in politics,” said King, describing how he feltwhile waiting for the absentee ballots.

    He pointed to past experience as motivating his justice courtrun.

    “I’ve been in public service all my life,” King said.

    Joe Portrey won the party nomination for Justice Court Judge PostOne after defeating incumbent Ralph Boone in the Democraticprimary.

    In Tuesday’s general election, Portrey received 3,182 votes to winthe office. Republican candidate Art Likens received 2,235 votesand independent Raymond Boutwell 1,320 votes.

    Portrey won, but did not receive an outright majority in thethree-person race. His vote total comes to approximately 47percent.

    Portrey echoed King’s reasons for running. He said he ran becausehe wanted to continue working for the public, something he missedsince his retirement from the police force about two years ago.

    “I had been thinking I wanted to get back in public service,”Portrey said. “That’s all I’ve ever known.”

    Portrey seriously began thinking about running for the office earlythis year, but had run for the same post 12 years before. He saidthose intervening 12 years were significant.

    “I developed more rapport with the community,” Portrey said. “Youcan meet a lot more people in 12 years.”

    W. Lavon Boyd, a 14-year Constable Post Two incumbent, defeated twochallengers.

    The Democratic Boyd prevailed with 3,559 votes. Republican KirbyEbbers received 1,855 votes and independent Gary Dickerson 188votes.

    “It’s been a long 11 months,” Boyd said, “But I’ve always beenconfident.”

    That confidence has been in evident since Boyd won his first termas constable.

    “When I first got elected I told them I’m gonna keep it,” Boydsaid.

    Boyd sees his interaction with the people of Lincoln County as keyto his continued electoral success.

    “I’ve dealt with people and treated them good and they’ve stoodbehind me,” he said.

    Boyd also praised his opponents and said he is thankful for a cleanrace.

    Constable Post One incumbent Kelly Porter was unopposed afterhaving won the Democratic primary in August.