VIDALIA — Kenneth Hedrick fielded hugs, handshakes, cell phone calls and high fives Saturday night as election results naming him the new Concordia Parish sheriff came in.

Hedrick received 51.8 percent of the vote — 3,484 votes — over Charles “Junior” Tarver with 26.14 percent and Robert “Rock” Davis at 22.06 percent of the vote.

“I’m so excited, so proud,” Hedrick said. “I thank God, I thank my family, I thank my friends, and I thank the voters of Concordia Parish.”

Hedrick said he was proud to contend with two great, well-respected candidates.

“My opponents led a good, clean race,” Hedrick said. “I want us to come together and work together.”

Hedrick will start his new job on July 1.

Tarver said the people have spoken.

“The people that got out and cast votes, they spoke,” Tarver said. “I thank everyone who voted for me, and I hope the best for Mr. Hedrick.”

Tarver said the election was in the Lord’s hands.

“It was the Lord’s will to be this way,” Tarver said. “That’s what we’re going with.”

Total voter turnout in the parish was more than half, with 51.5 percent of voters stopping at the polls Saturday.

Clyde Ray Webber, clerk of courts, said at 2 p.m. Saturday, reports of high turnout at the polls had already exceeded his expectations.

“The sheriff’s race is always a big draw,” Webber said.

In other local and state races:

– Jerry Clark was elected Concordia Parish tax assessor, with 70.4 percent of the vote — 4,517 votes. Ryan Paul garnered 29.6 percent of votes.

– In the race for 21st District State Representative, “Andy” Anders won in a landslide, with 79.71 percent of the vote — 5,171 votes. Ferriday resident Justin “Preacher” Conner took 20.29 percent of votes.

– Jamie Harrison was elected Ridgecrest alderman, at 55.84 percent, or 110 votes over “Cindy” Halford’s 44.16 percent.

– Republican “Jay” Guillot, won the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, District 5 vote in Concordia Parish with 55.31 percent, over Democrat Keith Guice’s 44.69 percent.

– Gov. Bobby Jindal easily cleared the race in Concordia Parish with 71.55 percent of the vote, only seconded by Democrat Tara Hollis with 11.91 percent of votes.

– “Jay” Dardenne was voted lieutenant governor in Concordia Parish voting at 65.14 percent, and “Billy” Nungesser received 34.86 percent.

– Incumbent Secretary of State “Tom” Schedler took 65.14 percent of the local vote, over “Jim”

Tucker’s 45.20 percent.

– James D. “Buddy” Caldwell won overwhelmingly in the parish with 88.19 percent, over “Joseph” Cao at 11.81 percent.

– Commissioner of agriculture candidate Michael G. “Mike” Strain got 63.54 votes in the parish. Jamie LaBranche got 30.56 percent, and Belinda “B” Alexandrenko won 5.9 percent of the votes.

– Commissioner of Insurance “Jim” Donelon took 67.65 percent over Donald C. Hodge’s 32.35 percent.