A month ago was just the preliminary round.

On June 1, Dallas County voters turned out in good numbers to the polls to vote for several hotly contested races.

For most of the candidates, their lives went back to normal.

But for two candidates, the race never really stopped.

The three-man race for District Judge was whittled down to two as incumbent Nathaniel Walker and challenger Bob Armstrong advanced to face each other in Tuesday’s run-off election.

“It’s kind of hectic gearing up again for the election, (but) we are seeing some positive things,” Armstrong said. “It’s almost like having to start over because you can’t have it all lined up. You have to find out the result of the primary before you can map out strategy.”

“It’s been exhausting, it’s been real tough,” Walker said. “I never expected a runoff.

I took the day (off) after the elections but that Thursday I was pretty much back into it.”

Armstrong came fairly close to winning the election without a runoff.

He took the majority of the votes with 6,088.

Walker finished with 4,029 and City Attorney Jimmy Nunn garnered 2,848.

The battle for Nunn’s voters may decide the election.

“We’re running some ads on the radio that would encourage them to come our way but it’s not targeted at them,” Armstrong said. “I believe Jimmy Nunn voters were people who recognized the need for change and they believed that Jimmy was the best person to implement that change. I believe a number of his supporters will support us.”

Walker also has targeted Nunn voters

“I was just on the radio (Thursday),” Walker said. “I made a direct appeal to those voters.”

Another factor may simply be getting the voters back to the polls so soon.

The June 1 election had several races, including the district attorney race that brought the voters out.

With only one decision on the ballot, the turnout may not be as strong.

“I think we’re going to have a fairly decent turnout,” Walker said.

He added that he believed the judge’s race was a big factor in turning the vote out on June 1, citing the numbers of votes cast in the race.

“Turnout is probably the number one factor,” Armstrong said. “I just have a sense that the people that voted for me are recognizing the need for positive change and are more focused.”

That focus isn’t hurt by the reminders Armstrong supporters have placed all over town, Walker has talked before about the amount of money his opponents have spent on the campaign.

“I think it’s unfortunate that as much money is spent on judgeships as it is,” he said. “It takes away from the dignity of the office.”

For both men, June 30 will mean the end to a long process.

Armstrong began truly campaigning back in February while Walker said he began working on this election in 2003.

“I have been honestly campaigning the last year and half,” he said. “Not actively campaigning, but visiting churches, visiting schools.”

Armstrong said he and his staff have taken on a football mentality.

“There’s no quit in it, when there’s five minutes to go and you just keep hunkering down,” he said. “But you always run like you’re five touchdowns behind.

Our strategy is good and we’re working hard.”

With the election just days away, both candidates said they expected the race to be close.

“I think it’s going to be a close race,” Walker said. “you just never know.”

“I’m hoping it won’t be but I believe it will be,” Armstrong said. “I just believe we’re going to come out on top because there are a lot of people on the street who are eager for a positive change.”

Walker on the other hand, said his experience could make the difference.

“I ask people to vote for me because I’m the best qualified,” Walker said.

Whatever the outcome, Walker said, this may be his last run.

“This will probably be my last election in any event,” he said.