While several Carroll County officials will enter the 2026 election cycle as unopposed candidates for re-election, others face challenges.
The party filing period for the March 3 preferential primary, nonpartisan judicial and school board elections closed Wednesday, Nov. 12, with three candidates filing for county judge and five of the county’s 11 Justice of the Peace positions drawing multiple candidates.
Carroll County Judge David Writer, a Republican, filed as a candidate for re-election. He’ll be challenged in the Republican primary by Dianna Baird of Eureka Springs. Jim Wallace of Eureka Springs filed as a Democrat for county judge, after initially filing as a candidate for District 2 JP.
Sharon Lawlor filed as a Republican candidate for District 1 JP, with Al Selleck filing as a Democrat.
Republicans Chris Clifton and Margaret Hickman are the remaining candidates for District 2 JP.
Three Republican candidates are seeking the District 4 JP seat: Duane Coatney, Luke Dignan and Eric Griesenauer.
District 6 JP Craig Hicks is being challenged in the Republican primary by Lisa Price-Backs.
District 7 JP Kellie Matt is seeking re-election as a Republican, while David Robinette filed as a Democratic candidate for the District 7 seat.
Republican Chris Newboles was the only candidate to file for District 9 JP, while Republican Susy Stinebrickner is the lone candidate for District 11 JP.
County Clerk Connie Doss, Circuit Clerk Sara Huffman, Coroner David Slaton, Sheriff Daniel Klatt, Collector Krista Burnett, Treasurer Makita Williams, District 3 JP Harrie Farrow, District 5 JP Matt Phillips, District 8 JP Bobby James and District 10 JP Jerry King all are running unopposed for re-election. All are Republicans with the exception of Farrow, a Democrat.
County Assessor Jeannie Davidson did not file to seek re-election. The only candidate for that office is Republican Brittany Blok.
Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Rogers is seeking re-election, with opposition from Robert “Beau” Allen.
Carroll County Circuit Judge Scott Jackson is running unopposed for re-election.
Central Township Constable Todd Summers and Northeast Township Constable Randy Langhover are unopposed candidates for re-election.
Republican State Sen. Bryan King filed to seek re-election to the District 28 seat, while Bobby Ballinger filed as a Republican challenger.
Steven Baird of Eureka Springs, Hunter Rivett of Berryville and Cody Rogers of Omaha filed as Republicans seeking the District 6 seat in the state House of Representatives. State Rep. James Eaton filed to seek re-election to the District 26 seat in the state House. Eaton is a Republican.
Jason Morris and James “Rusty” Rusterholz Jr. filed as candidates for re-election to the Eureka Springs school board, while Travis Holloway and Ginger Johnson both filed for the Position 5, Zone 2 seat on the Eureka Springs board. LeeAnn Sisco Fultz, Tyler Ashworth and Kristi Howerton are seeking re-election to the Berryville school board while Sergio Gil is unopposed for a seat on the Berryville board.
Incumbents Jeff Boggs, Kenny Bonham, Rodney Hayhurst and Alechia Meador filed to seek re-election to the Green Forest school board, with Paul Wells also filing as a candidate for the Green Forest board.
