By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines had an easy time Tuesday in the Democratic primary, defeating his opponent Buddy York by a 3-to-one margin.
With 118 of 118 of precincts reporting, Villines captured 15,341 votes, or 72.7 percent, compared to York’s 5,760 votes, or 27.3 percent.
Villines will face Republican Phil Wyrick in November.
The rest of the contested Pulaski County races were much closer, including one judicial race that will be decided in a run-off.
Steven Meckfessel moved past fellow Republican Tom Raley in the late hours in the House District 43 contest. Meckfessel garnered 467 votes, or 58.9 percent, compared to Raley’s 326 votes, or 41.1 percent.
Meckfessel will face Democratic challenger Jim Nichols in the November general election for the open seat left vacant by the term-limited Jeff Wood.
District 43 covers portions of Sherwood and North Little Rock.
In the non-partisan judicial races, Judge Rita Gruber solidly beat out Judge Wendell Griffen for the Arkansas Court of Appeals. Gruber captured 16,953 votes, or 57.4 percent to Griffen’s 12,583 votes, or 42.6 percent. The win puts Gruber on the appeals court
In the race for the judge’s bench in Circuit Court, District 6, Judge Mary McGowan bested Cecily Patterson Skarda, 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent. McGowan netted 17,780 votes, while Skarda landed 9,225 votes.
The Circuit Court, District 6, District 6.2 (juvenile court) race was the only contest with three candidates and has ended with a run-off between Cathi Compton and Melinda Gilbert, which will be decided in November’s general election.
Compton received 10,365 votes, or 45.8 percent, compared to Gilbert who received 9,420 votes, or 41.7 percent, and Jewel Harper garnered 2,828 votes, or 12.5 percent.
