Milligan defeats Peck in State House runoff
by March 31, 2020 8:49 pm 932 views
A devastating tornado and the COVID-19 pandemic may have hampered voters ability to go to the polls, but enough showed up to allow Lake City Mayor Jon Milligan to win his primary race against challenger Dr. Cole Peck in the House District 53 Republican primary race.
With 95% of precincts reporting, Milligan received 68% (624 votes) to Peck’s vote talley of 32% (290) during Tuesday’s (March 31) runoff.
Results are unofficial until certified by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office.
Milligan moves on to face Democrat Shawn Only in the fall general election.
Peck and Milligan won the right to face each other in the runoff after they received more votes than Jonesboro Alderman Bobby Long who also ran in the primary. The candidates are vying to replace State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, who was elected to the State Senate earlier this month.
Due to the unprecedented circumstances, voters were only allowed to cast votes at the Craighead County Courthouse and the Lake City Courthouse.
Craighead County Clerk Kade Holliday said that voting machines were wiped down after each voter cast a ballot and people were required to stand about six feet apart to comply with social distancing standards.