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McCallister cruises, will succeed Garrett on bench |
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
A visibly tired but happy Bobby McCallister expressed gratitude Tuesday night following his resounding victory in the Saline County Circuit Court Division 1 judicial race.
McCallister collected 61 percent of the votes, defeating challenger Brent Standridge 6,028 to 3,806.
McCallister will succeed Circuit Judge Robert “Bob” Garrett, who is retiring.
“Honestly, I was so concerned that I didn’t know what the result would be tonight,” McCallister, 43, said just after shutting down his watch party position on the courthouse lawn.
“I’m extremely thankful. As [County Clerk] Freddy Burton said, I am blessed.”
He cited the support he’s received from his wife, Starla McCallister, their three children, and his secretary, Marcey Lawson.
“You don’t do this by yourself,” McCallister said. “They’ve all been amazing.”
McCallister, who has a law practice in Benton, said he plans to “work hard between now and December and work hard in January” when he takes the bench.
Standridge, 47, also is a Benton attorney.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed in the result,” Standridge said, “but we felt like we did everything that we could possibly do. We started back in December when we got the signatures, and then we were busy going door-to-door and advertising and sending out mass e-mails.”
Standridge said he is “thankful for the support we had. I had a number of people come up to us and say they supported us,” noting that he’s pleased with results he received out of Hot Springs Village and some other polling places in the county.
Congratulating McCalli-ster and his family, Standridge said, “We campaigned side by side and were always courteous and respectful. I wish him all the best when he takes office in January.” Standridge said he won’t rule out the possibility of running for office again.
“One thing I learned is that some people come out of an election and say they’ll never run again,” he said, “but if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll sit down with my family and make a collective decision, because it is a sacrifice and commitment.”
McCallister is a 1983 Benton High School graduate. He began his legal career in Benton in 1991. He has served as city court judge in both Haskell and Shannon Hills.
He also has served in the past as city attorney for Haskell. He served as special judge in Circuit and District courts in Saline County and has presided over both civil and criminal jury and bench trials in those courts.
McCallister is a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, a former member of the Benton School Board and has served as a volunteer coach for the Benton High School football team. |
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