Jackson County States Attorney Joe Cervantez speaks out on his loss in the recent election

MURPHYSBORO Ill. (KBSI) – After an initial tie election officials announced Tuesday that provisional ballots showed Marsha Cascio Hale defeated Joe Cervantez by 39 votes. 

Jackson County State’s Attorney Joe Cervantez is making plans for the future. Marsha Cascio Hale narrowly defeated him by only dozens of votes to take over the seat. 

Cervantez opens up about what’s next for him and the cases he was working on. 

“What happens to these cases that I may have started, you know, the cases need to be finished. That’ll be determined and, in somebody else’s hands, but the people voted for somebody else to take care of those things,” said Cervantez.

Cervantez says he is wishing Marsha Cascio Hale the best transition with these cases. He hasn’t worked with her much or established a relationship. He says in any type of office no matter how politically heated it can get during an election it’s important to have a good transition from one officeholder to the other. 

As far as Cervantez goes, giving up his seat on December 1st he is disappointed but is grateful for his time here. 

“I’m disappointed because, you know, I love what I do. I think that, you know, I could have knocked more doors. You know, I could have contacted more people, because it was such a close race. I’m disappointed at the same time, extremely proud of the office that we built here. the fundamental changes that we’ve made, and I’m proud of what we’ve done over the last four years,” said Cervantez.

Several trials later, Cervantez says it’s time to take a step back and spend these next couple of weeks with his family as this job can wear and tear on you. He is up to the task for conquering bigger tasks in the future. 

“People are seeing this race in terms of winning and losing. I just don’t see, not just because the margin was so close. I don’t see this as a loss. I see it as motivation,” said Cervantez.

“I’m not done yet,” said Cervantez. 

Cervantez says he’s enjoyed his time as Jackson County State’s Attorney and he is excited for what the future brings and his next steps in life.