Several key county primary races in Crawford and Sebastian counties were settled Tuesday, with voters supporting all incumbents. Tuesday also saw Sebastian County Circuit Judge Gunner DeLay win another six-year term on the bench.
In the circuit court race, DeLay received 8,171 (58.5%) votes, and Ashleigh Buckley received 5,796 votes (41.5%).
“I’m grateful and humbled Sebastian County voters have given me the opportunity to serve a second term as Circuit Judge,” DeLay said in a statement. “I am blessed to get to do a job I love and enjoy so much.”
County circuit courts in Arkansas hear matters related to criminal, civil, probate, domestic relations, and juvenile law. According to the Arkansas Judiciary, judicial candidates for circuit judge run in nonpartisan elections and are required to have been licensed attorneys in the state for six years preceding the date of assuming office. Circuit judges serve a six-year term.
In the lone Fort Smith Public School Board race, Matthew Garner received 1,218 votes, defeating Wesley Hooks, Sr., who received 604 votes.
COUNTY RACES
In Sebastian County, Judge Steve Hotz defeated Ken Blevins in the GOP primary. Wyatt McIntyre defeated John Miller in the GOP primary for county sheriff, and Treasurer/Collector Lora Rice defeated Tammie Brown in the GOP primary for the treasurer/collector position.
With no other party or independent candidates on the November general election ballot, Hotz, and Rice are re-elected to their respective offices. With no other party or independent candidates on the November general election ballot, McIntyre will the county’s next sheriff. Sheriff Hobe Runion, who endorsed Miller, did not seek reelection.
In Crawford County, Sheriff Daniel Perry defeated Richard Rice in the GOP primary. With no other party or independent candidates on the November general election ballot, Perry is re-elected to the office. Crawford Count Judge Chris Keith was unopposed in the GOP primary, and has no opposition in the general election.
Following are results of the top contested primary races in Crawford and Sebastian counties.
Crawford County
Sheriff
Sheriff Daniel Perry: 4,428
Richard Rice: 1,695
Sebastian County
County Judge
Judge Steve Hotz: 8,093 votes
Ken Blevins: 2,061 votes
Sheriff
Wyatt McIntyre: 5,292
John Miller: 4,792
Treasurer/Collector
Treasurer/Collector Lora Rice: 6,131
Tammie Brown: 3,931
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