Page Back as Walton County Coroner

Joe Page confirmed Thursday that he has been re-appointed to serve out the next four years as Walton County coroner following the surprise resignation earlier in the day of Richard Jenkins. Page was defeated in his re-election bid for the position of coroner during the non-partisan elections last year.

Jenkins was sworn in the week before Christmas to begin serving his four-year term on Jan. 1, 2013. He had served less than three full days before tendering his resignation on Thursday. Newly-seated Probate Court Judge Bruce Wright appointed Page to fill the position.

"Yes, I am back," Page said. "The way I understand it, the appointment is until the next election, which is in four years time."

After narrowly losing with 49.12 percent of the vote in a three-way race between himself, Jenkins and Ted Bailey on July 31, 2012, Page lost to Jenkins in the runoff two weeks later. Jenkins earned 61 percent of the 2,157 votes cast.

Page said he didn't know why Jenkins tendered his resignation so soon after taking office.

"I believe that at this time nobody is sure why he resigned," Page said.

See also:

• Jenkins resigns as coroner
• Walton County Candidates for Tax Commissioner and Coroner: In Their Own Words