IMAGE: From left, Bill Rogers and Ron Addington are Republican candidates for Clark County Judge. | Images from campaign materials and edited in Canva
By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com
The top local race for Tuesday’s primary election will decide which Republican candidate will face the lone Democrat in November’s general election for Clark County Judge.
It’s an important race because, come Jan. 1, 2027, the overall victor will act as the top executive officer of county government. In essence, the county judge is the mayor of the county. A county judge—not to be confused with a trial judge—is responsible for day-to-day operations, with job duties of managing county roads, authorizing expenditures of county funds, maintaining county-owned property, hiring county employees and presiding over quorum court meetings.
The winner of the Republican primary—either Ron Addington or Bill Rogers—will face Democrat Michael Ankton in the general election this November. The overall victor will also replace outgoing county Judge Troy Tucker, who’s not seeking re-election.
Addington, 79, touts an early military background couple with a career as an educator at Henderson State University. He’s also a property manager who co-owns a timber company.
Rogers, 62, a lifelong resident of Hollywood, is longtime owner of AutomoBill’s, his namesake auto repair shop in Arkadelphia.
Addington’s government experience includes past stints on the Arkadelphia city board and school board, as well as staff and liaison positions with Arkansas legislative bodies and the governor’s office.
Rogers has been vice president of the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce and is involved in various first responder roles, including the county’s Office of Emergency Management and the National Search and Rescue Association.
Addington says he’s qualified for the county judge’s job because of his experience as a businessman who has led employees, and because he is equipped with an understanding of construction and heavy equipment.
Rogers says his leadership is based on “practical, intellectual, boots-on-the-ground experience” and is no stranger to operating and/or repairing heavy equipment.
In addition to the county judge’s race, there are various other state and federal contests on the ballot. There is also a race for Arkadelphia School Board Zone 6.
State, federal races
On the state level, the Secretary of State has three Republican candidates: state Sen. Kim Hammer, Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison, and Bryan Norris. The Commissioner of State Lands has two Republican candidates: Secretary of State Cole Jester, and Christian Olson. The office of Governor has two Democrat candidates: Supha Xayprasith-Mays and state Sen. Fred Love; the winner will face incumbent Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in the November election.
On the federal level, the U.S. Senate has three Republican candidates: Micah Ashby, Sen. Tom Cotton, and Jeb Little. There are two Democrat candidates: Hallie Shoffner and Mayor Ethan N. Dunbar. The U.S. Congress District 4 has two Democratic candidates: James “Rus” Russell III, and Steven Layne O’Donnell; the winner will face incumbent Rep. Bruce Westerman in November.
Additionally, there is a nonpartisan judicial general election to determine the Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 3: John Adams or Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Nick Bronni.
When & Where to Vote
Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. Voting begins at 7:30 a.m., and polls close at 7:30 p.m. Registered voters may vote at any of the nine Vote Centers in Clark County regardless of where they live within the county:
• Amity Municipal Building, 121 E. Thompson
• First Methodist Church, 107 N. 9th St., Arkadelphia
• Caddo Valley City Hall, 137 Malvern Road
• Manchester Community Building, 1216 Manchester Rd.
• Gurdon Municipal Building, 103 Maple St.
• Arkadelphia Recreation Center, 2555 Twin Rivers Dr.
• St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 1501 Caddo St.
• Okolona City Hall, 307 S. Main St.
• Clark County Training Center, 35 McClellan Blvd., Gum Springs
Citizens casting a ballot in Clark County must be a registered voter residing in the county.
Before casting a ballot, voters will be required to present a valid identification such as a driver’s license or state ID.
See your ballot before voting
Sample versions of the official ballot can be viewed from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website.
Read below for instructions and more information, then CLICK HERE to get started on finding your ballot.
To use the Secretary of State’s VoterView page, simply type in your first and last name, then your date of birth to see a list of different sample ballots. Choose from a list of Democratic, Republican or Non-Partisan ballots.
Printed sample ballots are also available at the county clerk’s office, located upstairs in the Clark County Courthouse, 401 Clay St., Arkadelphia.
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