Former sheriff wins Roosevelt commission seat

Former Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker won a four-way race to gain a seat on the Roosevelt County Commission on Tuesday.

All four candidates were Republicans and no Democrats participated in the primary election, so Parker is expected to take office on Jan. 1.

“I ran a solid campaign. I think my experience helped in the matter,” Parker said when asked why he thought voters selected him.

Parker received 268 votes to 158 for runner-up August Cooper. James Hamilton was third with 100 votes, followed by Jarryd Burris with 39.

The two-term sheriff and career law-enforcement officer described his opponents in Tuesday’s election as “very good, quality people. I have the utmost respect for all of them.”

Cooper said “It was a great race, but voter turnout is Roosevelt County’s downfall. It is so hard to get people to the polls, unfortunately. I think it would have been even closer if more people got out to vote.”

Overall, voter turnout in Roosevelt County was 25.3% with one local contested election and a state Senate race that featured three candidates attracting the most attention. Statewide voter turnout was 22.8%, according to state election officials.

Parker will succeed Rod Savage as the Commission’s District 2 representative. Savage declined to seek re-election. Parker’s term is for four years.

Parker said infrastructure will be a priority once he takes office.

“I have several top priorities,” he said. “We have got to find a solution to our water problem. I’m also big on infrastructure, our roads and other things like that. Public safety is a big one for me, growth and industry for Roosevelt County. I’d also like to add county government transparency and the city/county relationship improving.”

County Manager Amber Hamilton recently announced plans to step down, but Parker said he didn’t know if he’d be allowed to have input into finding a new manager since he won’t take office for six months.

“I would hope that we could be a part of that process,” he said, “but that’s completely up to the current board.”