LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Two justices who split on whether Arkansas voters should have the chance to scale back the state's abortion ban are both vying to lead the state Supreme Court, though the election won't affect the court's conservative tilt.
Justices Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker are running to replace Chief Justice Dan Kemp in Tuesday’s election, where all four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to break the GOP’s hold on the state’s federal seats.
Voters will also be asked to approve a constitutional amendment that would revoke the license issued by a state panel for a casino.
A historic race for chief justice
No matter if Wood or Baker wins, history will be made: For the first time, Arkansas will elect a woman to chief justice of its Supreme Court.
The two justices were on opposites sides of the debate over whether to keep a measure on the ballot that would have scaled back an Arkansas law banning nearly all abortions.
Wood wrote the court's 4-3 majority opinion that upheld the state's decision to reject petitions submitted in favor of the proposal. The court ruled sponsors of the measure did not comply with paperwork requirements for paid signature gatherers.
In a blistering dissent, Baker asked: “Why are the respondent and the majority determined to keep this particular vote from the people?”
Though the seats are nonpartisan, Wood is running with the endorsement of the Republican Party of Arkansas' state committee, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and GOP Sen. Tom Cotton. Conservatives are already ensured a 5-2 majority on the court, with Sanders slated to fill two vacancies on the seven-member court after the election.
Arkansas has had one woman serve as chief justice, but Betty Dickey was appointed to the post by former Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2003, not elected.
All Republican representatives win reelection
All four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to break the GOP’s hold on the state’s federal seats.
Rep. Rick Crawford won reelection to the U.S. House seat representing Arkansas’ 1st District, which covers the eastern part of the state including Jonesboro and West Memphis. He defeated Democrat Rodney Govens, who has worked in the telecommunications industry. Libertarian nominee Steve Parsons was also running. Crawford, first elected in 2010, is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has said he’ll seek the top Republican spot on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“That really tees up, hopefully, in the next Congress to serve as a committee chairman, and we're looking forward to that opportunity,” Crawford told The Associated Press Tuesday night. “That will really help serve the citizens of Arkansas even more.”
Rep. French Hill beat retired Army colonel Democrat Marcus Jones to win reelection in the race for the 2nd District, which includes Little Rock and surrounding areas. Hill was first elected to the seat in 2014 and is vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.
“I am deeply humbled to once again have the privilege of representing the people of Arkansas’s Second Congressional District," Hill said in a statement. “I wake up every day energized to serve my home state and fellow Arkansans, and I stand ready to fight for our beloved nation over the next two years.”
In northwest Arkansas’ 3rd District Rep. Steve Womack defeated Democrat Caitlin Draper, a clinical social worker. Womack was first elected in 2010 to the district, which includes Fayetteville and Fort Smith. Libertarian Bobby Wilson was also running. Womack is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
“Conservative principles such as less government, lower taxes, pro-growth and pro-family policies, the rule of law, and a strong national defense are what I believe creates a better America for all," Womack said in a statement. “Tonight, we see that Third District Arkansans agree with me.”
In the 4th District, which covers south Arkansas, Rep. Bruce Westerman triumphed over Democrat Risie Howard, an attorney from Pine Bluff. Westerman was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014 and chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources.
“It is an honor of a lifetime to continue representing the 4th district of Arkansas," Westerman said in a statement. “I still stand by the statement that Arkansas has what America needs, and I look forward to getting back to work in DC.”
Voters to decide the fate of planned casino
A measure on the ballot in Arkansas could block the last of four casinos that voters approved in what has become a battle between the Cherokee and Choctaw nations.
The proposed constitutional amendment would revoke a license the state issued to Cherokee Nation Entertainment to build a casino in Pope County. Choctaw Nation has spent more than $17 million on the campaign for the proposal.
Pope County was one of four sites where casinos were allowed to be built under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2018. Casinos have already been set up in the other three locations. Cherokee Nation Businesses has spent more than $12 million on the campaign against the amendment.
Other proposals that would have scaled back the state's abortion ban and expanded its medical marijuana program were disqualified from the ballot by state election officials.
Voters approved a measure the Legislature placed on the ballot that allows proceeds from the state's lottery to be used to fund scholarships at vocational and technical schools.
Andrew Demillo, The Associated Press
