Green defeats Laney Harris for JP spot
Janet Green, a relative newcomer to politics, captured the Miller County Justice of the Peace District 2 seat on Tuesday, beating longtime public official Laney Harris by a count of 357 votes to 292, according to complete but unofficial results.
“Both candidates worked awfully hard. I’m looking forward to serving the community and to lots of change and good representation at the Quorum Court,” Green said.
Green, a Republican, has had a lifelong interest in government. She is employed with the Fouke School District as a nurse for the the district’s middle and high schools. She and her husband have six children.
During the campaign, she identified the three most pressing issues facing the county as budgeting and staying on budget, working with other Quorum Court members in addressing and solving problems and representing and voting in the best way for county residents.
Harris’ list of public service is extensive. He represents Ward 2 on the Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors and has served on the Texarkana, Ark., School District Board and the Texarkana Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Thornton Mitchell, who had held the seat for a number of years, opted not to seek re-election. Green will be sworn in Jan. 1.
By presstime Wednesday, Harris had not returned phone calls seeking comment.