Sexton to lead prosecutor’s office; Centerton, Bella Vista approve ballot measures

By Kay King 

Senior Reporter

UPDATE: This article was updated March 6 to reflect more current information about the race for Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice.

In Arkansas Super Tuesday March 5 balloting, voters chose Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald J. Trump to be the standard bearers for the two major political parties. Voters also favored Third District Congressman Steve Womack as the party’s nominee for the Nov. 5 general election.

In other votes, the race for Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice appears to be headed for a runoff. Neither of the top two vote getters, Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker, received more than 50% of the vote. Associate Justice Courtney Hudson defeated challenger Carlton D. Jones for Position 2 on the State Supreme Court. Hudson’s election to the seat means there will likely be an appointment to her current position. 

In addition to the state nonpartisan judicial races and the presidential party primaries, there were several other contests and issues being decided on March 5 balloting.

Bella Vista voters approved funding for police officers’ pensions, and Centerton voters approved continuing refunding bonds and a tax question in addition to issuing bonds for a new community center. Centerton voters also approved street improvement bonds. 

Avoca voters narrowly approved a $75 increase in annual fire dues. The complete but unofficial tally was 263 votes for and 259 votes against. All results for March 5 voting are unofficial and preliminary until certified by the Benton County Election Commission. 

In Benton County JP Republican balloting, incumbents Jeff Dunn, Joel Jones and Joel Edwards received their party’s nod. John Good Rissler received 60 plus percent of the vote in the race for JP in District 12. There is no Democratic challenger in November. 

For the Benton County Prosecutor seat Bryan Sexton defeated Sarah Phillips. Sexton, who’s filling the vacancy created by Nathan Smith’s resignation in 2023. 

Voter turnout was anemic in Benton County with 18.72% of registered voters casting ballots.