Poinsett County Circuit Clerk switches to GOP, adding to trend

Poinsett County Circuit Clerk Misty Richardson became the sixth Northeast Arkansas elected official in four days to make the jump to the GOP, as candidate filing entered the homestretch on Thursday.

Richardson, from Harrisburg, turned in paperwork to seek a second term in the Nov. 2016 general election. Before winning in 2014, Richardson served as a deputy circuit clerk for several years under Democrat Claudia Matthews.

Richardson is the sixth Poinsett County official to switch parties from Democrat to Republican in recent days. Poinsett County Coroner Butch Davis, Treasurer Tammie Stanford and Justices of the Peace Carmack Sanders and Harold Blackwood all filed as Republicans this week.

Poinsett County Assessor Johnny Rye Jr. also switched parties earlier this year. Rye, who is not seeking another term, filed this week to run for a state House seat in District 54. Former Rep. Wes Wagner, R-Manila, who also switched parties earlier this year, filed this week and is running against Rye for the House seat.

Independence County Judge Robert Griffin, who filed this week, also switched parties in September. Also, Greene County Treasurer Debbie Cross switched parties Monday to seek another term as a Republican.

OTHER FILINGS
The following major filings have also happened in county offices around the state.

CLARK COUNTY
Circuit Clerk – Martha Jo Smith, D.

INDEPENDENCE COUNTY
Circuit Clerk – Deborah Finley, D.
Collector – Janet Perkey, D.

JACKSON COUNTY
Coroner – Cris Driver, D.

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY
Circuit Clerk – Bette Green, D.
Coroner – Stanley Hurst, D.
Treasurer – Tammy Talley, D.
Assessor – Craig Jones, D.
Sheriff/Collector – Bobby May, D.
County Clerk – Pearl Cottrell Johnson, D.
County Judge – Gary Hughes, D.

The filing period continues Friday (Nov. 6) and goes until noon Monday (Nov. 9) at courthouses around the state.