It’s Armstrong versus Walker, the re-match.

Attorney Bob Armstrong came up three percent short of winning the district judge seat straight out and as a result he will face incumbent Nathaniel Walker in a run-off June 29.

The unofficial totals at the end of election of night gave Armstrong 6,071 votes (47 percent), incumbent Nathaniel Walker 4,029 votes (31 percent) and Jimmy Nunn 2,831 votes (22 percent).

“We’re gonna win it in the runoff,” he told a crowd of cheering supporters in his Broad Street headquarters. “I’m not being cocky. I believe in my heart I will win it in the run-off.”

“I’m happy. I wanted to win it outright. I realized a run-off was a distinct possibility with three people in the race,” Walker said. “We’re going to look forward to June 29th and just win it.”

Armstrong recalled the story in the Old Testament book of Haggai of God commanding the returned Israelite exiles to rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. “And God moved the hearts of the people and they built the Temple,” he said. “They rebuilt the Temple with stone and building materials but what got the Temple built was God.

“That’s what’s happening in Selma, Alabama – God’s Spirit has moved. And you have given your time, your money and you’ve walked in the hot sun.”

“You’ve (his supporters) blown us away. What a blessing it has been to have friends like you.

“The job’s not done. The Temple is not finished. We hoped it (the race) would be over tonight. But it’s not and we’ve got to continue to work. It’s the fourth quarter.”

“The ball’s on the 1-yard line,” a supporter yelled.

“And we’ll push it over the goal,” Armstrong replied.

Walker said he was pleased with his showing despite the limitations on his campaign.

“Given the amount of money that Nunn and Armstrong both spent, given the limited financial resources I had, I had to rely on my reputation and the work I’ve done,” Walker said.

The crowd at Walker’s rally on Broad Street, spilled out of his office and onto the sidewalk where they celebrated while listening to the WHBB radio broadcast.

“I have a lot of loyal supporters,” Walker said. “We’re spirited. The people I have, most of these people are volunteers, I didn’t pay anybody. The people just came and worked in the campaign mostly because they believe in me and the work that I’ve done.”

Almost immediately after Armstrong finished his speech, defeated primary candidate Jimmy Nunn entered the large room and was greeted with shouts and great applause. The two candidates embraced and spoke for a moment before Armstrong greeted other Armstrong supporters surrounding him.

As he left, Nunn, Selma’s city attorney, said that he was off to wish Judge Walker and his supporters well.

“It will be much easier now, with just two in the race,” Armstrong said. “And in four weeks we’ll be here cheering and hanging from ceiling, so you (my supporters) can’t have your lives back yet.”

Armstrong, who lost to Walker six years ago by 72 votes in a two-way race, said that running against two opponents this time around was more difficult than the last race, but the fundamental issues remain the same as in 1998.

“I believe our judicial system continues to erode and deteriorate,” he said. “Six years ago Dallas County was number three among the counties in the juvenile violent crime referral rate, behind Jefferson and Mobile counties. Today we’re number one. The number of murders in Dallas County is about the same, so far this year, as in Montgomery, and we have a much smaller population.”

Walker says he hopes this campaign will be run similar to the last one.

“I hope that we can run a clean race,” Walker said. “I hope we have a race free of any non-relevant issues and just let the voters decide. I would like to commend Bob Armstrong, his people were fairly cordial. I respect him for that.”

After coming up 72 votes shy six years ago, Armstrong said he plans to try and court Nunn’s supporters.

“I plan to make a special appeal to Jimmy Nunn’s supporters,” he said. “It’s clear that his supporters recognized the need for change in the status quo. This judge (Walker) runs his court and then goes home. The district judge needs to be proactive….Judge Walker is the chief juvenile officer in Dallas County and as such is in charge of children’s welfare in the county.

His position needs a person with a heart.”