BENTONVILLE -- Incumbent Shirley Sandlin, a Republican, won another term for Benton County Justice of the Peace District 8 on Tuesday.
Sandlin defeated Democrat Sam Slaton and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin.
The complete but unofficial vote totals were:
• Sandlin: 2,158 (54%)
• Slaton: 1,625 (41%)
• Wadlin: 188 (5%)
District 8 includes parts of northwestern Bentonville.
Sandlin is retired from Benton County where she served as assessor. Slaton is a teacher at the Thaden School in Bentonville. Wadlin is on the membership team with Sam's Club.
Sandlin said previously she wants another term on the court because the county has several projects underway she would like to see to completion, especially the proposed new $30 million courts building.
"I would like to see that done or at least be off to a good start before I walk away," Sandlin said.
Sandlin said she is satisfied with the building design, and she favors the funding plan, which includes a temporary, one-eighth-cent sales tax increase that is planned to be voted on in a special election in March 2019.
"I don't see Benton County slowing down as far as our growth. Certainly Bentonville is growing. With that, the need for court facilities is growing," she said. "I would like to know that our justice system is going to be prepared for that."
Justices of the peace serve two-year terms and are paid $230 for each Quorum Court and Committee of the Whole meeting and $144 for meetings of other committees on which they serve.
Politics on 11/07/2018