In the race for state Supreme Court chief justice in Arkansas, Justices Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood are the top two finishers who will compete in a runoff. The winner of the race will not change the conservative majority on the court, which is currently held by Republican-backed justices. Both Baker and Wood are vying to become the first woman elected chief justice in the state, with the support of different factions within the Republican Party.
Wood, who has been on the court since 2014, emphasizes her independence as a justice and not ruling in line with any particular party. She has the backing of prominent Republicans, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Senator Tom Cotton. On the other hand, Baker, who has served on the court since 2011, claims to be nonpartisan and has highlighted her experience on the bench. The race between the two candidates has drawn attention as it will determine the first female chief justice in the state.
Arkansas’ court races have traditionally been targeted by conservative groups aiming to push the court further to the right, but this year, the focus has shifted to battleground states like Ohio and Michigan. The two candidates have previously split on issues such as an abortion rights measure, with Wood writing a majority opinion upholding the state’s rejection of petitions for the proposal. Baker’s dissent questioned the majority’s reasoning, highlighting a difference in judicial approach between the two justices.
In interviews and campaign statements, Baker and Wood have outlined their priorities for the court if elected. Baker has mentioned improving attorney licensure as an area of focus, while Wood aims to make the court system more accessible through measures like text notifications for hearings and alternative court attendance options. The election will also give Gov. Sanders a second appointment to make next year, as Justice Courtney Hudson was elected to a different position on the court, creating a vacancy.
Overall, the race for Arkansas’ state Supreme Court chief justice will determine the first woman to hold the position in the state’s history. Both candidates, Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood, have emphasized their qualifications and independence as justices, with each garnering support from different factions within the Republican Party. The outcome of the race will not change the conservative majority on the court, but it has drawn attention for its historic significance and potential impact on the court’s direction. Issues such as judicial approach, accessibility of the court system, and future appointments will play a role in voters’ decisions in the upcoming runoff election.
