Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker to seek Chief Justice post

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker announced Friday (May 5) that she will seek the Chief Justice post in the 2024 election cycle.

Current Chief Justice John Dan Kemp, 71, is not planning to seek an additional term.

Baker, 59, is currently serving her third term in Position 6 on the Supreme Court and was re-elected in 2022.

“I believe my experience at every level of the judiciary is unmatched and I am currently the senior, most experienced justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. I want to continue to put that experience to work for the people of Arkansas,” Baker said.

Supreme Court offices are non-partisan and members are elected to 8-year terms. No other candidates have announced for the office.

Baker has served on the Arkansas Supreme Court since 2011. Prior to serving on the Arkansas Supreme Court, she served as a Circuit and Juvenile Judge in the 20th Judicial District for six years and served on the Arkansas Court of Appeals for 10 years.

She is a graduate of Clinton High School, Arkansas Tech University, and the UALR Bowen School of Law.