Updated: 9:20 p.m., May 24

Incumbent Chuck Ruckel defeated opponent Thomas Hayden by 79.71 percent of the vote with 27 of 27 precincts reporting in the May 24 Republican primary runoff election for Collin County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Seat 1.

In the March 1 primary, Ruckel took 39.71 percent of the vote against challengers Hayden with 31.68 percent and Andrew E. White with 28.61 percent of the vote. Because no candidate received at least 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters compete in the runoff election.

Ruckel was elected in 2012 after retiring as head of the Field Operations Division of the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. He shares Precinct 3 with Seat 2 Justice John Payton. The precinct covers the majority of Plano as well as cities of Lucas, Murphy and Allen.

“The hardest thing for me to understand is how we got here in the first place. There should have never been a runoff race to begin with,” Ruckel said. “My job is going to be to continue what we’ve been doing and streamline our operation, bring in more technology and help get things done to [make things] even more efficient and effective as they are now.”

Hayden, a New York native, said he sought the office because he believed it is the duty of every citizen to serve the public at least once. Hayden earned his law degree from Michigan State University and received his bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in political science and constitutional law from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Democratic primary candidate Ramona Brumfield took 68 percent of the vote in the March 1 primary election and will face the Republican primary runoff winner in the Nov. 8 general election.

Justices of the peace hear traffic and other Class C misdemeanor cases up to $10,000 in damages. Justices also preside over landlord and tenant disputes, hear truancy cases and perform various magistrate duties.

Results are unofficial until canvassed.