Arkansas Supreme Court race, legislative races develop following Friday filings

A key judicial race in the state appears to be set as a Stone County Circuit Judge filed paperwork Friday to run for a seat on the state’s highest court. Circuit Judge Dan Kemp of Mountain View filed to run for Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, capping the next to last day of filing for the March 1 primary.

Kemp is running for the open seat and is joined by Associate Justice Courtney Goodson so far in the election. Goodson filed this week to run for the office, which is open following the resignation of Chief Justice Jim Hannah earlier this year due to health reasons.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) appointed attorney Howard Brill to serve as Chief Justice until Dec. 31, 2016. Brill, through his appointment, cannot run for the office.

Circuit Judge Shawn Womack of Mountain Home filed this week to run for the Position 5 seat on the court. The only other major judicial filing was for a seat on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. James McMenis of Smackover filed for the District 5 race, joining attorneys Mark Klappenbach of Fordyce and Job Serebrov of Sheridan in the race.

There were also four federal filings on Friday. U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, submitted paperwork to seek a fourth term in office, while Republicans Carly Fiorina and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., filed to run for the White House. Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente from San Diego filed to run as a Democrat for the White House. He is the fourth person to file as a Democratic presidential candidate on Arkansas’ primary ballot.

STATE LEGISLATURE
Several races started to take shape Friday as Democrats filed in six state House seats. Melissa Fults of Hensley filed in District 27, joining Republicans and former state representatives Mike Creekmore and Andy Mayberry in filing so far.

Democrat Susan Inman of Little Rock turned in paperwork to run in District 32. The incumbent, Rep. Jim Sorvillo, R-Little Rock, filed earlier this week to seek another term in office.

Kent Walker of North Little Rock became the second Democrat to file in District 38. Democrat Victoria Leigh and Republican Carlton Wing have also filed for the seat, being vacated by Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-North Little Rock. Copeland is running for the state Senate in District 34 in the Republican primary against Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock. Also filing for the Senate seat is Democrat Joe Woodson of North Little Rock.

A Blytheville attorney also turned in his paperwork Friday to run in District 54.

Hunter Williams filed as a Democrat, joining Republicans – Poinsett County Assessor Johnny Rye Jr. of Trumann and former Rep. Wes Wagner of Manila – in the race.

To the west, Frankie Gillam filed as a Democrat in District 57. Gillam, who works as a community and economic development coordinator at the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development, turned in the paperwork late in the day to seek the seat. Gillam is joined by Republicans Shawn Strouss and Jimmy Gazaway, both of Paragould, in filing for the seat.

Susan K. McGaughey turned in paperwork to run in District 81 in Northwest Arkansas, joining Republicans Bruce Coleman of Mountainburg and Derek Goodlin of Rudy in the race.

There were two filings for contested races in south Arkansas Friday. Republican Sonia Eubanks Barker of Smackover filed in District 7, joining Democrats Floyd Thomas of El Dorado and former Rep. Garry Smith of Camden in the race.

Libertarian Cecil Anderson of Ozan filed to run in District 3, joining Hempstead County JP Danny Watson, R-Hope and Rep. Brent Talley, D-McCaskill in running for the seat.

Two Northwest Arkansas Libertarians also filed Friday. Kyle Adams of Deer filed in District 83. The incumbent, Rep. David L. Branscum, R-Marshall, filed earlier this week.

In District 95, Grant Brand of Pea Ridge filed as a Libertarian. The incumbent, Rep. Sue Scott, R-Rogers, turned in paperwork to run earlier this week.

Other notable filings Friday include Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, who filed in Senate District 28; and Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, who filed in House District 2.

The filing period ends at noon Monday (Nov. 9) for federal and state races; and at 3 p.m. Monday (Nov. 9) for judicial races.