Todd Fore clinches Bowie JP race
Todd Fore, a longtime Bowie County Sheriff’s Office supervisor, clinched the justice of the peace Precinct 1 Place 2 race late Tuesday by overwhelmingly defeating Democratic challenger Jimmy Wesson.
“Obviously, we are very excited over the win,” Fore said. “I really want to give a very warm thank you to my family and my friends who have been out helping me campaign and more importantly to the citizens and voters of Bowie County.”
Fore won with 13,889 votes to Wesson’s 6,314, according to complete but unofficial results.
In the Republican primary in March, Fore was in a threeway race with Mike Lusk and Lonnie Johnson. That race went into a runoff with Fore and Lusk several weeks later.
Fore won the Republican party’s nod and faced Wesson in this week’s election.
He said overcoming all those elections was hard work, but harder work is ahead.
“I feel ecstatic this long, grueling process is over,” Fore said. “Now comes the real work of going out and doing the work for the citizens of Bowie County.”
Fore is expected to take office Jan. 1
He said he wished the best for Wesson and his family.
Wesson could not be immediately reached for comment.
Fore is a 1987 Hooks High School graduate and a 1991 East Texas Police Academy graduate.
He has worked in the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years. Of those 19 years, he has been a supervisor for 14 years and 9 years as a lieutenant. He was named Officer of the Year in 2002-03 and has been a leader in drug arrests and seizures. He has also spent seven years as a K-9 officer.
Fore had not sought political office until this year, but running for justice of the peace was on his mind for years.
Justices of the peace set bonds, conduct hearings on Class C misdemeanors, resolve landlord/tenant disputes and settle small claims disputes.
Fore said with Bowie County increasing to 20 state troopers, the office will experience a dramatic increase in citations
Wesson, a 1979 Texas High School graduate, is the Miller County Juvenile Detention Center chief supervisor. He is a Weed & Seed volunteer and owner and operator of Superior Car Care.
He said he ran for the office because faith, family and community service are badges of honor.
Other Bowie County races and complete but unofficial results are:
Emergency Services District No. 5 for Simms For—722 Against—293
—
Emergency Services District No. 6 for DeKalb, Malta and Hubbard
For—1,256 Against—721
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Malta Independent School
District
Jeremy Tutt —76
Ryan Lynch —27
Clint Pickens —65
Stephen York—57