More party switching in Northeast Arkansas as filing winds down

The county filing period in the state continued Friday as another Northeast Arkansas Democrat switched parties while several contested races developed throughout Northeast Arkansas.

Greene County Circuit Clerk Jan Griffith filed as a Republican Friday to seek another term in office. Griffith is the second Greene County Democrat to file as a Republican this week. Treasurer Debbie Cross also switched parties earlier this week to seek another term in office. Republican Bridgett Davidson also filed this week to run for Circuit Clerk, joining Griffith in the race.

Former Greene County Judge Jerry Shipman filed Friday to seek a return to the courthouse in Paragould. Shipman filed as a Democrat and will face Republican incumbent Rusty McMillon in the race.

There is also a three-person race for sheriff in Greene County. Independent Tony Williams filed Friday for the job. Republican incumbent David Carter and former Democratic Sheriff Dan Langston filed this week in Paragould.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY
The ballot in Mississippi County began fill up this week as a race for County Judge developed. Republican John Alan Nelson of Blytheville and Democratic incumbent Randy Carney of Osceola filed this week to face each other in the November general election.

Several incumbents also filed in Mississippi County this week, including Sheriff Dale Cook, County Clerk Janice Currie, Circuit Clerk Leslie Mason, Collector Patricia Caldwell, Treasurer Peggy J. Meatte and Assessor Harley Bradley, all as Democrats.

In Central Arkansas, there were several notable filings this week. In Pulaski County, incumbent Circuit/County Clerk Larry Crane, D-Little Rock, filed for re-election earlier this week. To the south, several Republican incumbents in Saline County also turned in paperwork. They include County Judge Jeff Arey, County Clerk Doug Curtis, Sheriff Rodney Wright, Collector Joy Ballard and Circuit Clerk Myka Bono Sample.

Following are other top filings in county races.

BRADLEY COUNTY
Assessor – Krystle Hays, R
Circuit Clerk – Cindy Wagnon, R
Coroner – Mark D. Huggins, D
Treasurer – Diane Wesson, R

CLARK COUNTY
Sheriff/Collector – Jason Watson, D

CRAIGHEAD COUNTY
Eastern District Clerk – Martha Sue Gurley, R

CRAWFORD COUNTY
County Judge – Wade Lewis, R
Sheriff – Ron Brown, D
Assessor – Sandra Heiner, R

JACKSON COUNTY
Sheriff – Jasper Alex Beede, R

LOGAN COUNTY
Circuit Clerk – Elaine Robertson, D
Coroner – Blake A. Schluterman, D
County Clerk – Peggy Fitzjurls, D

MADISON COUNTY
County Judge – Frank Weaver, R

PIKE COUNTY
Coroner – Jessie W. “Sonny” Simmons, D

POLK COUNTY
Coroner – Brian Bowser, R

SALINE COUNTY
Assessor – Bob Ramsey, R
Coroner – Kevin Gleghorn, R
Surveyor – Aaron Rasburry, R
Treasurer – Larry C. Davis, R

SEVIER COUNTY
Circuit Clerk – Debbie Akin, D