Hayward edges Feichthaler to retain judge’s seat
One Lee County court judge will hold onto his seat, while the winner of a second judge slot remains unclear following Tuesday’s primary election.
Incumbent Archie Hayward garnered the most votes in the Group 4 county court judge race with just over 50 percent of the votes, or 18,043 votes. He faced off against Eric Feichthaler, who came in at a close second with nearly 50 percent of the votes, or 34,086 votes.
Of the 171 precincts in Lee County, 100 percent had been accounted for.
In the Group 3 race, none of the four candidates garnered enough votes required — 50 percent plus one — to take the seat. Instead, the top two vote-getters will move on the primary election for a run-off race.
The two are Frank Mann Jr., who claimed more than 47 percent of the votes with 33,744 votes, and Miguel Fernandez III, who took just over 24 percent of the votes or 17,146 votes. They will face off Nov. 2 in the primary election.
Hayward thanked his supporters Tuesday evening.
“I am certainly happy and honored to have the confirmation of the citizens of Lee County,” he said. “I believe that this is a validation of what I was doing as a judge and attorney.”
Hayward added that he is “grateful, honored and blessed.”
“This was a very good campaign and I appreciate Mr. Feichthaler and his efforts,” he said. “It was a great race.”
Feichthaler could not be reached for comment.
Mann also congratulated his opponents for running good campaigns.
“All three of my opponents were outstanding gentlemen and outstanding lawyers,” he said.
“Obviously, I’m very pleased with tonight’s results,” Mann added. “A lot of people came out to support me and I appreciate that. I’m looking forward to campaigning in the next few months.”
Fernandez expressed a mix of emotions.
“I’m so grateful to those who went out and voted for me,” he said.
“I’m a little surprised by my opponents’ and Frank’s amount of votes. The power of that name, the pull of that name, is very evident,” Fernandez said. “We’re looking forward to a good battle in November.”
He also voiced disappointment at the low voter turnout Tuesday.
“I’m very hopeful more people turn out (for the general election), and we will pick up some of the opposition vote,” Fernandez said.
In the Group 3 race, Robert Branning came in third with nearly 22 percent of the votes, or 15.539 votes. David Shestokas took fourth place with just over 6 percent of the vote, or 4,471.
Branning could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Shestokas thanked his supporters and those in his campaign.
“I’m surprised that we didn’t do better than we did,” he said. “But I’m happy to have had the opportunity to speak to so many in the community.”
Shestokas added that his opponents conducted themselves professionally.
Lee County Court Judges serve a term of six years.
The election results are unofficial until certified.
Hayward edges Feichthaler to retain judge’s seat
One Lee County court judge will hold onto his seat, while the winner of a second judge slot remains unclear following Tuesday’s primary election.
Incumbent Archie Hayward garnered the most votes in the Group 4 county court judge race with just over 50 percent of the votes, or 18,043 votes. He faced off against Eric Feichthaler, who came in at a close second with nearly 50 percent of the votes, or 34,086 votes.
Of the 171 precincts in Lee County, 100 percent had been accounted for.
In the Group 3 race, none of the four candidates garnered enough votes required — 50 percent plus one — to take the seat. Instead, the top two vote-getters will move on the primary election for a run-off race.
The two are Frank Mann Jr., who claimed more than 47 percent of the votes with 33,744 votes, and Miguel Fernandez III, who took just over 24 percent of the votes or 17,146 votes. They will face off Nov. 2 in the primary election.
Hayward thanked his supporters Tuesday evening.
“I am certainly happy and honored to have the confirmation of the citizens of Lee County,” he said. “I believe that this is a validation of what I was doing as a judge and attorney.”
Hayward added that he is “grateful, honored and blessed.”
“This was a very good campaign and I appreciate Mr. Feichthaler and his efforts,” he said. “It was a great race.”
Feichthaler could not be reached for comment.
Mann also congratulated his opponents for running good campaigns.
“All three of my opponents were outstanding gentlemen and outstanding lawyers,” he said.
“Obviously, I’m very pleased with tonight’s results,” Mann added. “A lot of people came out to support me and I appreciate that. I’m looking forward to campaigning in the next few months.”
Fernandez expressed a mix of emotions.
“I’m so grateful to those who went out and voted for me,” he said.
“I’m a little surprised by my opponents’ and Frank’s amount of votes. The power of that name, the pull of that name, is very evident,” Fernandez said. “We’re looking forward to a good battle in November.”
He also voiced disappointment at the low voter turnout Tuesday.
“I’m very hopeful more people turn out (for the general election), and we will pick up some of the opposition vote,” Fernandez said.
In the Group 3 race, Robert Branning came in third with nearly 22 percent of the votes, or 15.539 votes. David Shestokas took fourth place with just over 6 percent of the vote, or 4,471.
Branning could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Shestokas thanked his supporters and those in his campaign.
“I’m surprised that we didn’t do better than we did,” he said. “But I’m happy to have had the opportunity to speak to so many in the community.”
Shestokas added that his opponents conducted themselves professionally.
Lee County Court Judges serve a term of six years.
The election results are unofficial until certified.
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