BEAUMONT, Texas — Republican voters in Orange County have chosen to replace their current Orange County Precinct Four Constable.
With no Democrats running in the primary for Precinct Four Constable, Joseph Jacobs, has likely won the office following the primary election on Tuesday.
Jacobs won with 2,776 votes or 62.8% of the vote.
He beat the incumbent, Matt Ortego, who received 1,296 votes.
Jacobs, currently a captain with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, told 12News recently he wants more visible law enforcement in the public.
"Not just daylight hours, but nighttime hours," said Jacobs recently, "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."
As the constable race began to close in on the finish line, Ortego's mental health crisis in December 2023 was still an elephant in the room that many would like to see addressed.
"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 recently told 12News that he would rather focus on his own campaign than his opponent’s past.
He says he 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 pilot.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.