Gulley: Solid ties aided in JP race

Challenger unseats Jefferson

First-time candidate Kristina “KG” Gulley, 51, defeated incumbent Justice of the Peace Barry Jefferson in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, securing her a position on Pulaski County’s Quorum Court next year.

Because no Republicans filed to run for the District 10 Quorum Court seat, Gulley has no opposition in the fall general election and will take office in January.

Unofficial results for the election were:

Gulley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,197

Jefferson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940

In a short phone interview Wednesday, Gulley credited her victory to strong relationships she’s built since becoming active in the area in 2006. The district covers parts of North Little Rock and Jacksonville.

“This is my calling,” she said. People in District 10 “know my heart, they know me. … They know my interests.”

Gulley is a native of Rosston and now lives in the Argenta area of North Little Rock. She’s a career counselor for ResCare and is a former member of the Little Rock Education Association.

Her platform included a pledge to improve roads and drainage in unincorporated areas of the state’s most populous county. She also has said she wants to look into building a recreation and wellness center, and raising county employees’ pay.

The campaign for the District 10 seat was acrimonious, culminating in Jefferson filing a harassment complaint with the sheriff’s and prosecutor’s offices accusing Gulley of having him followed and pestering his workplace.

Gulley denied the allegations in interviews before the election. She conceded that she filed Freedom of Information Act requests with Jefferson’s previous employers for opposition research purposes, but said his other claims were baseless.

Jefferson, who had been trying to secure a second term, said Wednesday that he did not know if the conflict affected the outcome of the race.

“I could have worked a little harder out there. … Mostly I just think [voters] wanted to go a different direction,” he said. “I just really want to congratulate [Gulley] — I wish the best for her.”

Gulley also wished Jefferson well. She said she now plans to spend time meeting with community leaders in the district and will prioritize learning about Quorum Court responsibilities and procedures after being sworn into office in 2021.

“I’m looking forward to serving my future constituents,” she said.

Three other Democratic primary races for Pulaski County justice of the peace positions also were decided Tuesday.

Incumbents Julie Blackwood, Donna Massey and Staci Medlock defeated challengers Vicki Hatter, Pamela Whitaker and Shay Tidwell, unofficial results said. They, too, are unopposed in the general election and will retain their seats on the Quorum Court.