LaDawn Jones Wins District 62 Run-Off Race Against Marvin Arrington Jr.

In what some are calling a surprise win, LaDawn Blackett Jones beat Marvin Arrington Jr. by a healthy margin in the run-off election for the District 62 House seat.

"LBJ", as her numerous street signs call her, was in second place after the July 31st primary but on Tuesday night the tables had turned and LaDawn was able to win the election.  The final tally according to the Secretary of State website was 62.8% to 37.2% with Jones getting 1359 votes to Arrington's 805 votes.

Historically run-off elections always have a lesser turnout, but the numbers show evidence that is was the Jones camp that was able to mobilize and get people to the polls.  On a variety of occasions on Tuesday I saw teams of LaDawn Jones supporters on corners waving signs and urging people to vote, on the other-hand I did not see Arrington supporters. (Though I was not everywhere within the District)

It just may have been, that late push by the "LBJ" street team that pushed LaDawn Jones towards the Gold Dome.  The July 31st election finished with Marvin Arrington with 48.9% and LaDawn Jones in second place with only 26.9%.  You can see that the run-off turnout was problem for the Arrington camp and was key for the Jones camp.

In a letter written by Jones to Cascade Patch readers before the run-off, she explains the importance of the Tuesday's election:

If you don't go out and vote on August 21, 2012, the best candidate will not be seated in that office. You want a candidate with a proven history of community building, not one who will not represent the interests of District 62.

I have worked for District 62 because I have a vested interest in this community. My parents live here, I am raising my children here and I worship here. I have fought to build up this community and will continue to do so.

We have not heard from either candidate in the early hours after the vote count, but I imagine District 62 winner LaDawn Jones will write our Cascade Patch readers again soon, so please stay tuned.