MOULTRIE, Ga. — For Jerome Burgess, the election results were not bad, particularly Georgia’s results where Republicans maintained their complete control of statewide elected offices, including two Senate seats that were not up for election, and five Public Service Commission districts.

“My guy in the governor’s race won,” Burgess said, referring to Gov.-elect Brian Kemp, “and we picked up a couple of seats (nationally) in the Senate.”

Burgess, a Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and police chief in the town of Pavo in adjacent Thomas County, said he is not a fan, however, of one-party control of all branches of government. One party’s stranglehold can mean no compromise.

“Some of the best decisions come from people sitting around bouncing ideas off each other,” said Burgess, who in the past has voted for Democrats. “They listened and they met people in the middle ground.”

He pointed to former President Ronald Reagan, who he said accomplished much by working with Congress when Democrats held power.

Listening only to those who agree doesn’t allow elected officials to learn, according to Burgess.

“I don’t think that’s doing the best for the country,” he said. “It’s not doing us any good being like that. I think we’re getting further and further divided and entrenched. I don’t see much common ground right now.”

While a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, Burgess said he includes him in that assessment.

“Most of our politicians these days are like elementary kids on the playground,” Burgess said. “That’s all of them, including our president. I don’t think any party’s ideas are the absolute best for our country. People sitting down and working things out is what the founders intended.”

Burgess held out little confidence that would be the case when a new Congress with a Democratic House majority convenes in January. He would like to see progress on the budget — and the deficits that have been mounting — as well as immigration.

On the latter topic, he said his belief is that immigrants come to the country not only looking for work but because they can become eligible for benefits including assistance for food and health care.

Still, Burgess held out a slight hope that with a large number of new elected officials coming to Washington next year there could be some shift in dynamics.

“I think the younger ones would be more likely to sit down and debate,” he said. “I would hope the younger ones would not be so biased in their beliefs and negotiate.”

He does expect investigations into the Trump administration to continue.

“I think that’s been a waste of time, money and effort,” he said. “In my opinion it’s been nothing concrete (found). It needs to move on. Go investigate Hillary (Clinton).”