The filing period for this fall’s state and county elections ended last week, and a crowd of candidates will contest each of the top two county positions.
Sam Barr has served as County Judge since 2009 but resigned at the end of January. His administrative assistant, Ronda Griffin, was appointed by the quorum court to fill the last year on his term and is therefore ineligible to run for a full term.
Six candidates for the office include three Republicans: Rodney Balance, Jr., David Writer, and Bud Phillips. Robert Lynn and Kelly Wood registered as Independents, and James Rusterholz, Jr., will run as a Democrat.
The race for Carroll County Sheriff will go through the Republican primary, as all five candidates have registered for that party. They include Bobby Engles, Brad Handley, Robert Kennedy, Daniel Klatt, and James Matthew Dunham.
Most Justices of the Peace will return unopposed, including Jack Deaton, Harrie Farrow, Matt Phillips, Craig Hicks, Kellie Matt, Don McNeely, Roger Hall, and John Howerton. Larry Swofford, the long-standing JP from District 10, had previously announced his decision not to run for re-election, and Jerry King will be unopposed for that position. Chuck Olson did not file for re-election in District 2, and Bruce Wright will be unopposed in that district. Hunter Rivett and Geneice McCall, both Republicans, will compete for the District 4 position.
Ramona Wilson had served as Circuit Clerk for more than 20 years, and her resignation at the end of 2020 created a vacancy. Marilyn Ferrier was appointed to fill the rest of her term and is not eligible to run in the election. Toni Hulsey, Denise Simone, and Sara Huffman, all Republicans, will compete for the office.
The death of Tax Collector Kay Phillips-Brown created a vacancy, and Republicans Brittany Blok and Krista Burnett will face off in the primary.
Treasurer Makita Williams, County Clerk Connie Doss, Assessor Jeannie Davidson, and Coroner David Slaton are all unopposed for re-election.
The county’s constable positions have been reduced from 22 to four. Gerald Galyen is unopposed in the Western District, while Randy Langhover and Randall Dickinson will compete for the Northeast constable position. Todd Summers, Trace Glisson, and Butch Hanby all seek the Central constable position.
On the Eureka Springs School Board, the 2020 census figures required the creation of voting districts. Incumbents Candace Spaulding, Chris McClung, Al Larson, Joe Hill, and Jason Morris were unopposed for election in those new districts. The two at-large seats, held by Jayme Wildeman and Gayla Wolfinbarger, were not up for election this year.
Incumbents LeeAnn Ashford and Kristi Howerton are running unopposed for the Berryville School Board.