Four Sebastian County judicial races decided, one race headed to a runoff

Voters on Tuesday (March 3) narrowed down an unusually crowded field of candidates for five Sebastian County judicial races with four female candidates winning the bench in their respective races.

However, one judicial race is headed for a runoff in the November general election. In the Sebastian County Circuit Court, Division VI, race, Greg Magness captured around 41% of the vote and Sebastian County Deputy Public Defender Rita Howard Watkins won 30.7%. Without a plurality, the race heads to a runoff.

“Thank you to the Sebastian County voters who have given me the opportunity to move on to the general election in November,” Watkins said in a statement. “We knew this was going to be a tough race, and I’ll do everything I can to maintain my community involvement and prove to the residents of Sebastian County that I am the most qualified candidate for Circuit Court, Division VI. I would like to share a very sincere thank you to my family, friends and supporters who worked so tirelessly to get us through today.”

Talk Business & Politics asked Magness for a comment, but one was not received by the time this story published.

In the other Sebastian County District Court race, Dianna Hewitt Ladd won in a wide margin (62.88%) over Judge Sam Terry (37.1%).

“While these weren’t the results we had planned and worked for, I’d like to thank the friends and supporters who worked so hard to get us to today. I had the opportunity to meet people in every community in Sebastian County and it was a privilege to spend time with each of them,” Terry said in a statement.

Talk Business & Politics asked Ladd for a comment, but one was not received by the time this story published.

Administrative Law Judge Amy Grimes defeated incumbent Judge Jim O’Hern with almost 56% of the vote.

“I am excited for the future of Fort Smith District Court. I’ll do everything I can to make Division I more efficient and effective for the citizens who have given me this responsibility and strive to keep our community safe and hold the appropriate offenders accountable. Thanks to all of my supporters and friends who helped get us to today,” Grimes said.

Talk Business & Politics also asked O’Hern for a comment, but one was not received by the time this story published.

With more than 61% of the vote, Deputy Public Defender Wendy Sharum won a three-way race against Sebastian County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jason Hunter and Joshua Bugeja.

“Thank you to the voters of Fort Smith for giving me their trust and this responsibility. And thanks to all of my supporters and friends who worked so hard. I look forward to being on the bench and working to make Fort Smith District Court, Division II, something our community can continue to be proud of,” Sharum said.

Incumbent Judge Claire Borengasser posted a narrow win (51.76%) over Michael Pierce to retain the Fort Smith District Court, Division III, post.

Following are the election results by race.

• Sebastian County Circuit Court, Division VI
Greg Magness: 7,775 (40.78%)
Sebastian County Deputy Public Defender Rita Howard Watkins: 5,898 (30.1%)
Phil Milligan: 5,392 (28.2%)

• Sebastian County Circuit Court, Division VII
Dianna Hewitt Ladd: 12,090 (62.88%)
Judge Sam Terry: 7,137 (37.12%)

• Fort Smith District Court, Division I
Administrative Law Judge Amy Grimes: 6,912 (54.44%)
Judge Jim O’Hern: 5,784 (45.56%)

• Fort Smith District Court, Division II
Deputy Public Defender Wendy Sharum: 7,725 (61.34%)
Sebastian County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jason Hunter: 2,781 (22.08%)
Joshua Bugeja: 1,945 (16.4%)

• Fort Smith District Court, Division III
Judge Claire Borengasser: 6,583 (51.76%)
Michael Pierce: 6,135 (48.24%)