Brewer defeats Tilley in Perry County judicial race

Craig Brewer, running as an independent, defeated Republican Jason Tilley on Tuesday to win the Perry County judicial seat being vacated by Associate Circuit Judge Michael Bullerdieck, who is retiring.

Unofficial election results showed Brewer won with 2,731 votes to Tilley's 2,307.

Four write-in votes were cast in the race.

Both candidates sought the position in 2010, but Bullerdieck beat Tilley in the primary before going on to defeat Brewer in the general election.

"All I can say is that I'm humbled and I'm privileged to serve in this capacity for the citizens of Perry County," Brewer said Tuesday night.

Brewer, who ran as a Democrat in 2010, said in October he decided to run as an independent this time because he felt the party label might have created "preconceived notions" among voters in a race that has nothing to do with partisanship.

He and Tilley both have said politics have no place in a judge's decisions.

During the campaign, both candidates emphasized their experience, with Brewer touting his 16 years as a lawyer and the variety of cases he has handled in his private legal practice.

"I'm going to suggest that the associate circuit judge does a heck of a lot more than criminal law. ... That's where that experience really is evident, and I have it," he said in an October interview.

Voters apparently agreed. Brewer took 54.17 percent of the vote Tuesday, with Tilley receiving 45.76 percent.

Brewer praised his opponent Tuesday night.

"Jason Tilley is my opponent, but he's an honorable guy, and I appreciate the way he's handled himself, and I feel for him, and I thank him, and I look forward to working with him in the future," he said.

Brewer, who will take office Jan. 1, said he will spend the next few weeks wrapping up his private legal practice before making the transition to his new job.

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