Candidates were announced for Jefferson County elected offices Tuesday morning, following the first day of the filing period.
The Jefferson County judge position currently held by Gerald Robinson has attracted two other Democratic candidates who filed: Eric Walden and Jeff Edwards. Others who announced for the position have not filed at the time of the release.
For sheriff, incumbent Lafayette Woods Jr. will face competition from fellow Democrat Mark Cannon and independent Chris Lowery. Meanwhile, the tax collector, treasurer, assessor, county clerk, and county coroner positions remain uncontested thus far, with incumbents Tony Washington, Vonysha Goodwin, Gloria Tillman, Shawndra Taggart and Chad Kelley, all Democrats, respectively holding their positions.
The Circuit Clerk position, currently held by Democrat Flora Cook-Bishop, has drawn two candidates: Connie Compton and Barbara Collins, who have yet to file but declared their candidacy earlier in an official press release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
No one had filed for prosecuting attorney as of Tuesday morning’s release. Incumbent Kyle Hunter announced in June he would not run for another term.
Candidates have filed for justice of the peace in several Quorum Court districts. Notable races include District 9, where Cedric Jackson will face George Barnes Sr., and District 6, where Margarette Williams will compete against Randy Green and Glen Brown Sr. In District 1, Alfred Carroll Sr. will be challenged by Jacqueline Tillmon and Deshaun Eans.
Patricia Johnson, the incumbent for District 4, will face opposition from Oscar Bullard Jr. Reginald Adams currently holds the seat in District 2 and will be challenged by Leo Smith. Reginald Johnson, the incumbent for District 3, will face Joseph O’Neal.
All candidates named for justice of the peace are Democrats. Others may file before the filing period concludes Nov. 12.
In Altheimer, Zola Hudson is running unopposed for Mayor. In Humphrey, Michael Hodges will face independent Sharon McCuller-Silverman for mayor.
In Pine Bluff, independent Lorraine Hatcher has filed for city attorney against incumbent Althea Hadden, a Democrat. Other positions in Pine Bluff, including ward positions, remain uncontested so far.
In White Hall, incumbent Noel Foster is running unopposed so far for mayor, Ellen K. Welch is uncontested for recorder/treasurer and Tom Owens has yet to draw an opponent for city attorney.
The Pine Bluff School District has no new filings for Zones 1, 2, and 3, with incumbents Lozanne Calhoun, Jomeka Edwards, and Ricky Whitmore remaining in their positions. Similarly, the Watson Chapel School District and White Hall School District have no new candidates filing for their respective zones and at-large positions.
Candidates have until Nov. 12, to file, as county offices will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. The party filing period ends at noon, and the nonpartisan filing period ends at 3 p.m.
This version UPDATES the political affiliation for all justices of the peace, and CLARIFIES no one had filed for prosecuting attorney as of Tuesday morning. The spelling of Lozanne Calhoun’s name is also CORRECTED.