Voters give White third term as Whitley Judge-Executive

Two-term Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. cruised to victory in Tuesday’s Republican Primary Election, winning a third term over political rival and Third District Magistrate Jamie Fuson.

White, who was unopposed when he was re-elected to a second term in 2010, has the job for another four years, barring a challenge from any independent candidates. There were no Democrats running for Judge-Executive in Tuesday’s primary.

“I feel like I ran a strong race countywide,” White said following the results of last night’s election. “I think people recognized we have been working in all parts of this county … Overall, it was a strong showing.”

White fended off a tough challenge from Fuson by winning a 55 percent to 45 percent edge among voters, 4,426 to 3,619.

Come January, White will preside over a Fiscal Court largely different than its current makeup. Two-term incumbent Roger Wells, in the First District, was defeated in his bid for a third term by Scott Harrison and Lon Head, in the Second District, will be new to the board following his win Tuesday over five other opponents.

Michael Jarboe won over a large field of candidates in Fuson’s Third District, a seat he essentially left up for grabs when he decided to run for Judge-Executive.

Fuson said he respected the decision of the voters to give White another term and said he knew when he first got into the race it was an uphill battle.

“I was pretty consistent across the county … I feel good about that,” Fuson said. “I was running on limited resources and time. And there was the incumbent factor there. I know it was going to be tough.”

Fuson said he was proud of his family, friends and supporters who stuck with him during the election and said he will almost certainly run for Judge-Executive again in four years.

“I have no regrets. I have six more months to serve the county as magistrate and I’ll serve just like I did when I came in,” Fuson said.

“Me and Pat just have got two different directions. I see one way and he sees another,” Fuson said. “Four years from now I’ll be right at retirement. I’ll jump in there again. I’ll start politicking tomorrow.”

In the meantime, White said he plans to use the next four years voters have given him to focus on buying equipment necessary to do ditch maintenance and extend waterlines to remaining areas of the county without water service. He said he also plans to focus more than effort on economic development and jobs.

“That one of the biggest things. I want to provide opportunities for businesses and jobs for people so they will be able to stay right here at home and work and make a living,” White said.

White was the youngest Judge-Executive in the history of Whitley County when first elected. He won office just four days after turning 30. At 37-years-old, White said he believes voters have responded positively to his work ethic and desire to move the county forward.

“People see me out in the community. They know I’m working,” White said. “You can see my vehicle is one of the first to be at the courthouse every work. I’m always out trying to make things better and accomplish things for people in their communities.”