Carlos Palmer is the newly elected Southern District Justice Court judge.
Voters in the Southern District cast 861 votes Tuesday in a special election for Palmer and 402 votes for former Judge Larry "Blue" Neal.
Palmer showed up at the Leflore County Courthouse on the heels of the final box - from Swiftown - much to the delight of his supporters, who had gathered in the circuit clerk's office.
He said he had a mixed reaction of happiness and relief to the victory.
"Happiness from the standpoint that I'm very happy the election results were favorable," the newly elected judge said, "and relieved because it's been a long campaign, a hard campaign but very rewarding in the results."
Neal came to the courthouse briefly before election commissioners announced the final, but unofficial, returns.
The former justice court judge walked briefly into the circuit clerk's office and wouldn't say anything. Attempts to reach him later were unsuccessful.
Palmer has served as justice court judge for the past six months. His challenger, Neal, had quit his post in March to run an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Greenwood.
Palmer, 29, campaigned chiefly on his qualifications. He finished law school at the University of Mississippi and worked as a law clerk under Court of Appeals Judge Tyree Irving.
Palmer recently returned home to his native Greenwood and set up a law practice in the office of State Rep. Willie Perkins, D-Greenwood.
After Neal, 56, resigned from the post he held for 16½ years, the Leflore County Board of Supervisors in March appointed Palmer as the interim judge until the special election.
On the other hand, Neal leaned heavily on his justice court bench experience during the campaign.
He has a master's from Delta State University and has earned more than 80 points towards national certification as a judge, including training in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In addition to his tenure as justice court judge, Neal also has served seven years as municipal court judge in Itta Bena. He is the owner of a local grocery and deli.
