Larkin, who picked up 32.7 percent of the primary vote, said she understands the environment of a college town and how the court often sees student cases. With college-aged children herself, Larkin said she knows how important a judge’s decision can be to students.

“I have an MSU student, a recent college graduate and a daughter who will be going to college in two years,” Larkin said. “I think this court is unique.”

But social relations and policy sophomore Joel Arnold said judicial races tend to go overlooked because there is less fanfare made about them and there are fewer polarizing issues that make up a judicial campaign.

“I think they don’t find it as interesting because it’s sometimes not as glamorous (as other elections),” he said. “They’re not on one side or another. They don’t view them as activists for any cause.”

Still, leading up to November, Meadows — who earned 46.4 percent of last week’s vote — said the work doesn’t stop. On top of continuing to campaign for the judge seat, Meadows also has a full schedule in the House, as sessions begin again next month.

But he also said he intends to have a celebration on Nov. 6 to thank his supporters whether he wins or loses in the general election.

Larkin, who has never run for political office before, said she started campaigning again the morning after the election, knowing she has many more people to meet in the next three months.
“I’m looking forward to (the next three months),” she said. “I think people in this district really care about the future of our district court. It’s a unique community.”

Arnold said with students often getting citations for minor in possession charges, they should pay more attention to the court in which their case will be held.

“I think it’s pretty important,” Arnold said. “If you have any sort of a citation, it comes down to a judge.”