ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — Incumbent Matt Ortego is running to keep his seat as Orange County Constable of Precinct 4.
"I love what I do, I love my community, I love being apart of the public and the public service here in my hometown," Ortego told 12News.
Hoping to take Ortego's seat is Orange County Sherriff's Captain, Joey Jacobs.
"I'm a lifelong resident here of Precinct 4, I've got 27 years total law enforcement here in our community, I graduated high school from here. I love Vidor," Jacobs told 12News.
Ortego is looking to continue to help students across the area with things like Christmas with the Constable and the backpack school drive.
"I kind of stepped in and said what can I do for our students here in Vidor? So I started a backpack drive," said Ortego.
If re-elected, Ortego also wants to start a scholarship program for local kids.
If Captain Jacobs wins, he says he wants more visible law enforcement in the public.
"Not just daylight hours, but nighttime hours," said Jacobs, "I'm going to collectively work with area law enforcement to make a difference regarding property crimes, regarding burglaries and regarding some of these drug dealers who are selling this poison to our kids."
Jacobs believes in being present through the good and the bad. Like when he guided first responders through the Jasper Gist Road fire as a drone piolet.
As the Constable race begins to close in on the finish line, there is still an elephant in the room that many would like to see addressed, Ortego's mental health crisis this past December.
"I ask for the public's forgiveness for it," Ortego said, "and I'm going to continue to be there for the citizens. I want them to know that I no longer live that life with any type of alcohol being used. I do still seek medical help."
Jacobs says that he would rather focus on his own campaign than his opponents past.
"I can guarantee you I will not let you down. I have been in law enforcement 27 years. I've had zero right ups, zero disciplinary action," said Jacobs.
Regardless of who they are voting for, Ortego has a message for the public.
"I'm just asking for you to come back out and vote and keep things going forward," said Ortego.