With all precincts accounted for in Jones and Jasper counties, Robin Robinson easily secured enough support Tuesday night, June 23 to fill the vacant State House of Representatives District 88 seat. The seat came open earlier this year when Ramona Blackledge resigned just weeks into her first term, because her continued service as a legislator could have cost her the state retirement benefits she had spent decades accruing. She and three other legislators tried to resolve the PERS related issue with state leadership so that they could serve out their terms, but no agreement was reached. Blackledge won the seat over Gary Staples in November. Staples spent four terms as the district’s representative.
Robinson expressed appreciation to voters for the victory on election night, winning the special election with approximately 65 percent of the overall vote. She thanked the voters of District 88 for honoring her with their support.
“Our district is an extraordinary place to live, to work, and to raise a family. It is an honor to represent you. Thank you for placing your confidence in me,” said Robinson.
“Being an effective legislator involves listening to people, translating their concerns into workable solutions, and building consensus to implement them. I cannot do this job without the involvement and openness of the people I will represent,” she added.
Robinson collected over 65 percent of the vote in Jones County’s 21 precincts that are in District 88, with 1,415 total votes. Michael Walker finished second with 703 votes, and Jason H. Dykes received 42 votes, according to the unofficial election summary report from the Jones County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. In the single precinct from Jasper County that is in District 88, Robinson garnered nearly 57 percent of the vote.