Justice Cody Hiland to run for Arkansas Supreme Court, Position 6

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland announced Monday (May 19) his candidacy for a full term on the Arkansas Supreme Court, seeking the Associate Justice, Position 6 seat.

He is the Associate Justice under an appointment by Gov. Sarah Sanders to the Position 3 seat.

Justice Nick Bronni serves in the Position 6 seat by appointment and has announced his bid for Hiland’s Position 3 seat.

“I am deeply honored to serve as a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court,” Hiland said. “This role demands an unwavering oath to uphold our constitution and protect the rule of law. Today, in announcing my candidacy for a full term as a justice on our state’s highest court, I ask the people of Arkansas for the privilege of continuing to serve in this critical office of public trust.”

Hiland’s career reflects over a decade of public service as prosecuting attorney for the 20th Judicial District (Faulkner, Van Buren, and Searcy counties) and as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2017 to 2020 when he was appointed by President Donald Trump.

Following the end of the first Trump administration, Hiland served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety. Most recently, he was appointed twice, in 2022 and 2024, by Sanders to two-year terms on the Arkansas Supreme Court.

He also served as chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

Hiland holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law.

His early career included roles as an aide to then-Gov. Mike Huckabee, a staff attorney for the Arkansas Public Service Commission litigating rate cases, and establishing a private legal practice in Conway.