Northeast Arkansas county races shape up for March, November ballot

There will be several Republican primaries in Craighead County, an almost complete reversal from 2014 when there were two Democratic primary races and just one Republican primary contest.

The same is true in Greene County as Republicans there will decide two county races in March. Democrats decided two of their primaries that year, records with the Secretary of State’s office showed.

Candidates are expected to begin to more actively campaign following the holidays. Following is a breakdown of the county races to be decided in March and November 2016.

CRAIGHEAD
There are five countywide races on the ballot next fall, with three Republican primaries on the ballot in March.

Republicans Jeff Presley and Justice Garry Meadows are running for County Judge, with the winner facing incumbent Ed Hill, D-Jonesboro.

In the collector’s race, Republicans Wes Eddington and Andrew Stricklin will face off March 1. Both are seeking to defeat incumbent County Collector Marsha Phillips, D-Jonesboro, in the November general election.

The fall campaign ballot is also busy. Circuit Clerk Candace Edwards, R-Jonesboro is facing a challenge from Democrat Lesia Couch of Caraway for the two-year term.

Both are involved in the debate over the operations of the courthouses in Jonesboro and Lake City, with justices voting Monday night to table discussion over the issue until an Attorney General’s opinion is received.

Sheriff Marty Boyd, D-Jonesboro, will face Republican John Shipman of Jonesboro, while there will be a rematch between Assessor Hannah Towell, R-Jonesboro and Democrat Toni Oden of Jonesboro for that race.

GREENE
Voters there will decide two Republican nominations in March, as well as three countywide offices next fall.

Republicans Jan Griffith and Bridgett Davidson are running for circuit clerk, while Republicans Debbie Cross and Claude Graves are seeking the treasurer’s office there.

Griffith and Cross – former Democrats – switched parties during the recent filing period.

The November ballot will be filled with two rematches from the 2014 campaign. Incumbent County Judge Rusty McMillon, R-Paragould, is facing former County Judge Jerry Shipman, D-Paragould, in the county judge’s race.

Also, incumbent Sheriff David Carter, R-Paragould is running against former Sheriff Dan Langston, D-Paragould and independent Tony Williams of Paragould. There is also a race for collector as Republican Gina L. Garner Wells will face Democrat Cathy “CJ” Hays.

OTHER RACES
The following are a list of contested major races for the March 1 and Nov. 8 elections:

CLAY
County Judge – Mike Patterson, D and Jeff Young, D
Sheriff/Collector – Terry Miller, D and Gerald McClung, D

CRITTENDEN
Circuit Clerk – Terry Hawkins, D and Lisa Turner, D
Coroner – William Wolfe, D and Emily Burnett, D

CROSS
County Judge – Jack Caubble, R and Donnie Sanders, D
Sheriff – Josh Orman, R and J.R. Smith, D

INDEPENDENCE
Sheriff – Shawn Stephens, R and Steve Jeffery, D

JACKSON
Sheriff – Republicans Jasper Beede, James Neeley and Jeff Grizzle will face off March 1. The winner will face Democrat David Lucas in the fall.

LAWRENCE
County Judge – Dale Freeman, D and John Thomison, D
Sheriff – Jeff Yates, D and Richy Thatcher, D

MISSISSIPPI
County Judge – John Alan Nelson, R and Randy Carney, D

POINSETT
Assessor – John Hutchison, R and Joshua Bradley, D
Sheriff/Collector – Kevin Molder, R and Lisa Gean, D

RANDOLPH
Collector – Norma Pickett, D and Laura Meeks, I
County Judge – James Shawn Ward, R, David Jansen, D and write-in candidate Charles Johnson
Sheriff – Laveida Jones, R and Gary Tribble, D
Treasurer – Dennis Calaway, R and Sherry Huskey, D

SHARP
County Judge – Republicans Phillip Hood and Dustin Rogers will face off March 1. The winner will face Democrat Jackie Pickett and independents Gene Moore and Jon Patterson in November.

Sources: Association of Arkansas Counties and county clerks