At the end of Mike Loftin's next term as Union County Judge, he will have served in the post for two decades.
Loftin will remain in the seat for at least four more years following a win Tuesday in the 2026 midterm elections.
Loftin (R) clinched the victory against challenger Todd Dickson (I) with a vote of 6,590 to 4,450.
The race was part of an election that brought out a total of 11,637 voters around the county, according to unofficial results that were provided by the Union County Election Commission.
After all the votes were tallied and the winners announced, Loftin could be seen shaking hands in the atrium of the Union County Courthouse.
The action was not celebratory, as much as it was an expression of relief that the election and several months of campainging had drawn to a close, he said.
When asked how he felt, Loftin replied with a deep sigh, "I feel good now. I'm grateful for another opportunity to serve the people."
He then "hinted" at his future plans in regard to the county judge's seat and the expiration of his term Dec. 31, 2030.
"It'll be 20 years, and I'm done!" Loftin laughed.
In what could be his final four years as the county's top elected official, Loftin said he will focus on what he believes is the most pressing issue in Union County: "bringing our citizens together."
"Communities are stronger when we realize we all have more in common than not. Too often our conversations are about what separates us -- political beliefs, opinions, backgrounds, and other disagreements," the county judge has said.
"If we choose respect over hostility, conversations over confrontation, and cooperation over division, we can create a community where people feel they are heard, valued, and connected," he continued.
Loftin also said the county government is obligated to continue promoting economic development, first by supporting the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce and providing financial support through a contract for services for economic development.
"As county judge, I can also assist with economic development projects with the use of resources available to the county," said Loftin.
Mike Fife (R) beat back a stiff challenge from Democratic opponent Erick Meadows for the position of Union County Sheriff.
Fife won the race with 6,879 votes, while 4,638 county residents cast their ballots for Meadows.
A career law enforcement officer, Fife has spent the past 35 years serving the public in a number of capacities within the profession.
Fife began his career in 1990 as a jailer with the sheriff's office.
He subsequently served as a sheriff's patrol deputy and criminal investigator before moving on as narcotics investigator and undercover officer with the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force and 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, respectively.
As a former member of the U.S. Marshals Task Force, Fife was played an instrumental role in federal and state drug investigations, undergoing intensive training in comprehensive training in office management, crime scene investigations, evidence collection, interview techniques and narcotics.
In 2006, Fife accepted the position of chief of the Smackover Police Department, a role he held until December of 2024, when he retired from the police department and Smackover Volunteer Fire Department.
The same month he retired from the Smackover Police Department, he returned to the sheriff's office as a criminal investigator, with a goal of climbing to the rank of sheriff of the office where his law enforcement career began.
When asked how he felt at the end of midterm election, Fife initially had one word, "Relieved!"
He went on to thank Union County residents who voted for him, saying, "It's an honor to have them put that trust in me, and I hope I can hold up to their expectation, which is what we will do"
Though he was still taking in the moment of his win, Fife already had his first day as sheriff in mind, with a focus trained on the sheriff office's budget.
"Day one, we're just going to have to sit down and study that budget more and see what need to do. We're going to meet with the head guys out there and see what direction we need to go in," he said.
Another priority is patrol deputies' coverage of the county, added Fife.
"The main focus is getting patrol deputies out in the community, so they can get to know who they (county residents) are and for the community to get to know them," the sheriff-elect explained.
He commended Meadows, patrol captain at the sheriff's office, on his campaign and showing in the election.
"Me and my opponent kept it professional with each other and that's a good thing. He respects me, and I respect him," Fife said.
The pair were vying for a seat that is held by former sheriff office Chief Deputy Charlie Phillips, who was appointed as interim sheriff in late 2025, following the resignation of former Sheriff Ricky Roberts.
Roberts stepped down to take the job as chief of the El Dorado Police Department, a position he previously held from 2000 until his retirement in 2013.
Only one seat was up for grabs on the Union County Quorum Court and Jebb T. Young (R) will fill it Jan. 1.
Young edged out candidate Solena Sayer (D) with a vote of 542 to 398 for the Justice of the Peace District 6 position.
The seat is held by Thad Mason of Norphlet, who was appointed last February to fill an unexpired term.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), who held on to her position Tuesday against challengers Fred Love (D) and Colt Shelby (L), made the appointment.
Elsewhere in Union County Tuesday, a three-way mayoral race will be decided in a run-off election.
In a contest for mayor of Junction City, Independent candidate James H. McClelland garnered 82 votes, with opponents Sharon L. Williams coming in second with 67 votes and Steven Burroughs (I) third with 36 votes.
Union County Election Commissioners said the results did not meet the 50%-plus at least one vote threshold for a simple majority win.
Candidates must receive more than of the total votes cast to win an election.
The top two candidates will square up in the runoff.
Mike Hayes, election coordinator for the county, said the runoff election will be held Dec. 1, with early voting scheduled for Nov. 24-25, Nov. 27 and Nov. 30, in the Union County Clerk's Office.
The clerk's office is located on the first floor of the Union County Courthouse, 101 N. Washington Ave., El Dorado.
The midterm elections drew 11,627 voters in Union County.
There are approximately 24,000 registered voters in the county.
According to information provided by the county election commission, 7,910 early and absentee ballots were cast, with 3,717 county residents voting on Election Day.
Hayes said 33 ballots were provisional and election commissioners are awaiting the submission of two Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting ballots from military servicemen to certify election results.
He said the deadline to submit the ballots is Nov. 13.
"We never know when we'll meet to certify the ballots until the UOCOVA comes in or until it's past the deadline," said Hayes.
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