Judge who opposed blocking Arkansas abortion referendum to lead state Supreme Court

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The justice who wrote a blistering dissent of an Arkansas Supreme Court decision. blocked abortion rights measure was elected head of the court by voting.

Judge Karen Baker defeated Judge Rhonda Wood to replace Chief Judge Dan Kemp in Tuesday’s election. The result will not change the court’s conservative majority.

In Tuesday’s elections, all four Republican congressmen in Arkansas fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to weaken GOP control of the state’s federal seats.

Voters also approved a constitutional amendment that revokes license issued by the state commission for the casino.

Baker wins historic race for Chief Justice

Baker became the first woman elected chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, defeating Wood in a nonpartisan runoff election.

The two justices were on opposite sides of a debate over whether to allow a measure on the ballot that would have curtailed an Arkansas law that bans nearly all abortions.

Wood wrote the court’s 4-3 majority decision, which upheld the state’s decision to dismiss petitions filed in favor of the proposal. The court ruled that the measure’s sponsors failed to comply with paperwork requirements for paid signature gatherers.

In a strong dissent, Baker asked, “Why are respondent and the majority determined to hide this particular voice from the people?”

Baker has served on the bench since 2011. Wood had the support of the state’s top Republicans, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Sen. Tom Cotton. The Arkansas Republican Party Committee also supported her proposal.

Arkansas judicial races have been the target of attacks in recent years by conservative groups, which have spent significant resources trying to push the court further to the right. However, these groups did not identify Arkansas as a target this year and instead focused on states such as Michigan and Ohio.

Arkansas has had one other woman as chief judge, but Betty Dickey was nominated to the post by former Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2003 but not elected.

The Republican-backed justices currently hold a 4-3 majority on the court. Even with Baker’s victory, that majority would increase to 5-2, as Sanders now plans to fill two vacancies on the seven-member court after the election.

All Republican representatives are up for re-election

All four Arkansas Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to weaken GOP control of federal seats in the state.

Rep. Rick Crawford was re-elected to his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arkansas’ 1st District, which covers the eastern part of the state, including Jonesboro and West Memphis. He defeated Democrat Rodney Gowens, who worked in the telecommunications industry. Libertarian Party candidate Steve Parsons also ran. Crawford, first elected in 2010, is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and has said he will seek the top Republican seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“I hope it is indeed possible that in the next Congress he will become chairman of the committee, and we look forward to that opportunity,” Crawford told The Associated Press on Tuesday evening. “This will really help serve the citizens of Arkansas even further.”

Rep. French Hill defeated retired Army Col. Marcus Jones to win re-election in the race for the 2nd District, which includes Little Rock and surrounding areas. Hill was first elected to the position in 2014 and is vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

“I am deeply humbled to once again have the honor 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 the people of Arkansans, and I am 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 represent the district that includes Fayetteville and Fort Smith. Libertarian Bobby Wilson also ran. Womack is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Conservative principles such as smaller government, lower taxes, pro-economic growth and pro-family policies, the rule of law and a strong national defense are what I believe creates a better America for everyone,” he said. Womack in a statement. “Tonight we see that the people of Arkansas’ Third District agree with me.”

In the 4th District, which covers southern Arkansas, Rep. Bruce Westerman defeated Democrat Risi Howard, a Pine Bluff attorney. Westerman was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and chairs the House Natural Resources Committee.

“I am honored to continue representing Arkansas’ 4th District,” Westerman said in a statement. “I continue to believe that Arkansas has what America needs, and I look forward to returning to work in Washington.”

Voters approve decision to revoke license of proposed casino

Arkansas voters approved the measure. blocking of the last of four casinos was planned in the state during a costly battle between the Cherokee and Choctaw nations.

The proposed constitutional amendment would revoke the state’s license to Cherokee Nation Entertainment to build a casino in Pope County. The Choctaw Nation spent more than $17 million campaigning on the proposal. Under the measure, any future casino licenses would have to be approved by voters in a special county election.

“This is a great day for Arkansans: today and every day in the future, there won’t be a casino in any Arkansas community that they wouldn’t want pushed into their hometown,” Hans Stiritz, spokesman for Responsible Local Voters. campaign behind the measure, the statement said.

Pope County was one of four places where casinos were allowed to be built under a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018. Casinos are already open in three other locations. Cherokee Nation Businesses spent at least $12 million campaigning against the amendment.

“Issue 2 is a devastating blow to the economic future of communities in Pope County and the state of Arkansas,” Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses, said in a statement late Tuesday.

Other proposals that could ease and expand the state’s abortion ban. medical marijuana program were disqualified from the state ballot and by the state Supreme Court. The marijuana proposal appears on the ballot, but votes for it will not be counted.

Voters approved a measure on the Legislature’s ballot that would allow state lottery revenue to be used to fund scholarships at vocational schools.

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