During an event that never mentioned the name of President Trump once, Republican candidates seeking county and state offices in Hempstead County appeared before an audience made up mainly of party supporters Thursday evening during a candidates’ forum held at Hempstead Hall.  Nonpartisan candidates vying for circuit judge also appeared. The event was hosted by the Hempstead County Republican Party and moderated by SWARK.Today reporter April Lovette.

The full slate of both parties' candidates can be seen here.

Party chairman Steve Atchley opened the meeting by welcoming those in attendance and explaining that the purpose of the forum was to allow voters to hear directly from candidates about their qualifications and views before the election. He asked that candidates not criticize one another. Lovette outlined the format, noting that candidates would be brought forward by office and asked a common series of questions based on questions written before the event. She also said she would ask questions submitted in written form from the audience.

The forum began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before candidates were called in chronological order by office.

Circuit judge

The forum began with the two candidates for circuit judge, Kolby Harper and Wade Kimmel, a race that is nonpartisan under Arkansas law. The candidates were questioned together and responded individually to the same questions, a pattern that would hold for all the contested offices during the evening.

When asked to explain the role of circuit court, Harper said the circuit court serves as the state’s court of general jurisdiction and handles a wide range of cases including criminal, civil, probate, and domestic relations matters for the circuit, which includes Nevada County as well as Hempstead. The circuit judge administers jury trials, divorces, inheritance matters and civil lawsuits. They also hear appeals from district court.

Kimmel likewise described circuit court as the court that handles the most serious and varied cases. He said circuit court is where felony criminal cases are tried and where major civil disputes are resolved. “There's five different filing divisions, there's civil, there's criminal, there's domestic relations, there's probate, and there's juvenile, which is obviously very wide. So most things at the initial trial court level end up in circuit court and go through the circuit court.”

In response to the question of what qualifications and experience led her to seek the position, Harper outlined her education, graduating from Ouachita Baptist and then University of Arkansas Law School.  She described her current work as well as her career’s course after finishing her legal degree in Fayetteville.

“I am currently a part-time public defender. I'm also in my own practice where I handle estate planning. I do probates. I've done custody cases. I have done guardianship. I have done adoption. I have also been a prosecutor. I've done mental commitments, I've had jury trials. I currently do juvenile court as a public defender, but I still did juvenile court as a prosecutor, and I've also been the district judge here. So I think with my background, I am a well-rounded candidate to be the circuit judge, because I have touched all aspects of law.” She was appointed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as the first black woman 38th District Judge.

Kimmel, answering the same question, focused on his years of legal practice and work across multiple divisions of circuit court. He said he had experience in criminal cases as well as civil and domestic matters and stressed that familiarity with different case types was critical.  He gave the audience an outline of his career after graduation with honors from University of Arkansas Law School. 

“I've been practicing for a little over 26 years now. Of those 26 years, about 19 years I practiced in a law firm in private practice in Texarkana. I was very fortunate that it was a fairly large firm, and we had a very diversified group of clients with a nice mixture of individuals and businesses, which allowed me to practice in a whole lot of different subject matters in different areas. Then about seven and a half years ago, I decided I needed a change and took a job working for the state of Arkansas in the Office of Child Support,” Kimmel said.

Both candidates were also asked what inspired them to seek the judgeship. Harper said she viewed the position as an opportunity for public service to which she has been driven from an early age.  “I'm not originally from here. I'm from Gurdon, and even in Gurdon, I ran to be on the city council there, because my community was important to me. My ward was important to me, so I was the youngest person to run and be elected to be on the city council there. I've always just had this desire to be just a part of something bigger. My family has always instilled that in me.”

Kimmel said his decision to run came after he changed his specialty and his job from private practice, in which he represented individuals, to working for the state in the interest of children.

“I really liked the private practice where you, you know, stand shoulder to shoulder with a client in court, and they're your person, and you zealously represent them within the bounds of the law and ethics to get them the best outcome. But then, when I took the job with the child support office, a lot of people kind of don't understand it, but in child support, you don't represent the mother or the father. You represent the state of Arkansas in trying to get a just outcome that's in the best interest of that child. So my perspective changed,” he said. 

Asked how they sought to improve the status of their offices should either win election, Kimmel said he hoped to speed the pace of cases and steer more disputes toward mediation but thought it would be most important to “to stress communication,” explaining that “in our counties we have a lot of low income folks that are going to be before us, and I want to be able to talk to them and explain so that they're better equipped.”

Harper said the feedback she had received both in her time as district judge and as a practicing attorney would compel her to work with her staff to speed up proceedings so that those caught up in court cases might have cases resolved sooner. 

Hempstead County Sheriff

Candidates for Hempstead County sheriff, Justin Crane and Lt. Jesus Coronado, both running to replace four-term Sheriff James Singleton, who announced his intent to retire at the end o his term this year, were asked first to describe their understanding of the office and the responsibilities it carries.

Crane said the sheriff’s role involves the supervision of many law enforcement functions.  “You're in charge of the courthouse, courthouse security. As far as the courts, you're in charge of executing warrants, civil papers, and of course, I don't want to take away from any other portion of the job, but most important I feel is the jail.” He lingered on the seriousness of decisions made by the office, noting that “once you take people’s freedom away, that’s a big responsibility.”  Crane included the mental health both of the incarcerated and of the Sheriff’s Office staff as part of that responsibility.

Coronado described the sheriff’s office as responsible not only for law enforcement but also for transportation of prisoners, and jail operations. 

When asked what in his background made him the best candidate for the office, Coronado pointed to his lengthy law enforcement career and extensive training. He told the audience, “I’ve completed every certificate that there is to be for law enforcement,” including intermediate, advanced and senior certifications, and said he had also completed numerous crime scene courses.

Coronado said leadership had been a constant part of his career. “I felt like I’ve been in a leadership role from the academy,” he said, adding that over nearly 25 years he had advanced his training beyond what he expected and would bring his skills to the office of sheriff.  “I’m not saying the sheriff’s office is bad,” Crane said, “but I’m just saying [I can] give it a kind of an uplift and bring my training and experience to have a great department.”

Crane said his background included nearly 19 years with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and continuous supervisory responsibility since 2009. “Ever since 2009, I’ve been in some sort of supervisor role,” he said. He noted his promotion to captain in 2023 and completion of the Arkansas Leader Program and the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Management Program in 2024.

Crane said the management program focused on budgeting, jail operations, and reducing the number of lawsuits, calling it “a very lengthy course” that required months to complete. He said that experience allowed him to understand jail operations “front to back, side to side.”

Asked why they chose to run as Republicans, both candidates referenced alignment with party principles. Crane said, “My values and beliefs align more with the Republican Party,” while also saying “I’m not a politician. I’m a law enforcement officer, I’m a dad, husband, volunteer in many areas of my community.”

When asked why he was running as a Republican, Coronado, who wore a black hat with a crucifix illustration on it, said “First of all, I'm conservative. I mean, I'm a hard worker. I teach my kids to be hard workers, stand up, believe in the second amendment. I've got kids and grandkids, and I try to teach them work for what you want and never, never give up. Just believe in everything you do and basically be Republican.”

Asked what inspired him to run for sheriff, Coronado, who wore a black hat with a crucifix illustration on it to the forum, said, “I can't say I talk directly to God, but I just have a vision and an inspiration. This is something I've just looked at for years, and I've had co-workers and several folks in the community that have reached out.  During some of the programs I've done with the community I think they see my leadership and how I care for the community and how I have raised so much money for the last five years in our Santa Cop program.”

In response to the same question, Crane called himself a people person, cited his 25 years of being a volunteer firefighter and said, “With me loving people the way I do, I am giving my word that I will keep your family safe and my family safe because the way I love people.”

Asked for their respective plans to improve their offices, Crane said he would want to make sure officers are well-trained to deal with potentially mentally ill members of the public.  He also said he would like to address an affordability issue for employees.  “I would like to work on health care has always been an issue. The county pays for each employee’s health care. But as you know, most people have families. When you try to put the family on a family plan, it's not affordable, so I would like to continue as Sheriff Singleton has done in the past.”

Coronado, in his answer, also focused on the importance of training, pledging to appoint a sergeant to be in charge of training just as the Hope Police Department has done. He also said he would take a look at what could be trimmed from the budget, take measures to train officers for dealing with mental health emergencies and with the difficulties of managing jailed arrestees.

Lovette read a question from an audience member. “How will you retain employees at the sheriff's office?”

Coronado said he would focus on inspiring trust.  “A good leader takes care of his employees, and is not scared to get out there. If anybody knows anything about me, I've been out there with my guys at nighttime, whenever, wherever. I don't mind working, getting out there and working from the front and not just from behind desk,” he said.

Crane also referred to his willingness to leave the office and direct his officers: “I lead in the field, whether it's criminal investigation. I'm also on the Eighth North drug task force, which is made up of Hempstead and Nevada Counties and the Hope and Prescott Police departments. In that setting, I also have proven to be a leader.”

Finally, asked what they would want to say directly to voters, Crane asked his audience to vote but also to pray for good leaders.  “I would ask that you pray tirelessly, that is not only you, but every other voter between this county will make the right decision, and it's in the best interest for the current employees and each entity. If you don't put God first in my eyes, you are doing something wrong, because a lot of people ask me if I stress about this or that. I pray and give it to God, and I want God's will to be done in this election,” he said.

Coronado said he would continue to serve in law enforcement, win or lose and that he had had to rely on God to help him keep his composure in child abuse investigations. “If history repeats itself, and I can tell you there have been two great sheriffs, Jerry Crane and James [Singleton], and they are great sheriffs in my book, if I'm elected, I will lead in a different way, but from the position I come from and the leadership role I have provided.”

State representative

Candidates for state representative, incumbent Dolly Henley and challenger Lonney Mack Goodwin, were next to address the audience.

When asked to explain their understanding of the office, Goodwin described the role as an intermediary between constituents and government agencies. “It is your job to stand between the regulatory bodies that govern the way our state functions and the constituency who elected you,” he said.

Henley said the position required balancing legislative duties with constituent service and advocacy for local needs, particularly in rural areas.

Asked about their backgrounds, Henley said her experience in community service, nonprofits, and local government prepared her for legislative work. “I understand the needs of and concerns of our community and have a proven track record of bringing people together to achieve positive outcomes.”

Goodwin said his professional background included employment with Lester Oil Company starting from 1988 and decades of work with regulatory agencies across the state. “I have dealt intimately with every regulatory body this state has, from the Planning Board, Bureau of Standards, from the Department of Finance to the Department of Health to the EPA and Energy and Environment. I know how they work. 

“I know what the public needs in as much as representation between these bodies, because you are dealing with an unelected power structure, and it is the representative’s job to stand and and be the wall between the machine that would ruin the pro se litigant that that judge was talking about a while ago.” Goodwin said he has also been involved with a faith-based organization that provides treatment to those struggling with drugs in Sevier County.

When asked why they chose to run as Republicans, Henley said the party aligned with her beliefs in faith, border enforcement, limited government, pro-life and public safety. Goodwin said he was “a born again washed-in- blood, dyed-in-the-wool constitutional conservative,” and said his record and values defined his candidacy.

In response to a question about issues they considered most important, Henley spoke about rural health care and mental health within the criminal justice system. She said there are people with mental health issues who have spent “over 400 days in the county jail,” adding, “You and I know that jail is not a place for the nonviolent offenders who have a mental condition.”

Concerning the quest for funding from the state to help equip, repair and financially stabilize Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Hope which has struggled after the purchase of its license to operate by Pafford Medical System, Henley said, “I want to you know that the governor, the director of DFA, the health liaison to the governor's office, are all aware of our hospital needs. There are 11 rural hospitals in Arkansas who are in financial hardship. Eleven. What I can tell you today is that I will work every day on this and I will not stop.”

Goodwin said representation was critical when constituents encounter regulatory problems, arguing that representatives must answer calls and intervene when agencies overreach. He said he read the book of James every day to remind him what his priorities should be.

County judge

Candidates for Hempstead County judge, incumbent Jerry Crane and challenger Kenneth Harvel, then answered questions regarding the duties of the office as they understood it

Crane said that under state law the county judge serves as the county’s chief executive officer. “According to the state statutes, a county judge is chief executive over the county,” he said.

He said the job includes responsibility for roads, sanitation, county property, and budgets. “The main thing the judge does is maintain the county,” Crane said, describing himself as the caretaker of county assets and equipment.

Crane said his office maintains inventories that are reviewed annually by auditors and noted that during his eight years as county judge, “I’ve never been written up.”

When asked what in his background prepared him for the role, Crane cited 20 years in law enforcement and eight years as county judge, saying that experience helped him understand county roads and infrastructure before taking office.

Harvel, current roads superintendent for Hope, Arkansas, said his understanding of the office centered largely on road maintenance and service delivery. He said his background included more than two decades of experience and emphasized responsiveness to citizen concerns.

Asked why he chose to run as a Republican, Crane said, “I want to make it real clear my number one in my life is God. I love God. I know he saved me. I know he's put me where I am because he gave me a purpose to be here, but the Republican Party, if you look back and see how things are getting in this world, they stand for family values. They definitely are against abortion. They're for less government, stronger policies on our immigration, all these things flow together, and I believe that being with the Republican Party and with God in charge, we can do a lot more for this country.”

In answer to the same question, Harvel said, “I stand on faith, family and hard work. I have voted Republican for over 40 years. I understand how it all works.”

When Lovette read an audience member’s written request to explain how he would go about ensuring all areas of the county are covered, Harvel said he believed problems should be addressed as they arise. “We’ve got to try to take care of those problems as they come in as quick as we can,” he said advising that crews be given geographical sections of the county to be in charge of the roads in them.

Crane said the county had already divided road supervision geographically and hired additional personnel to train grader operators. “We’re trying harder to have enough supervisors to be out in the field,” he said.

Circuit clerk

Candidates for circuit clerk, Gail Wolfenbarger and Becky Hood, discussed the responsibilities of the office and their priorities if elected.

Wolfenbarger described the circuit clerk’s role as maintaining essential archives, some of which date back to the 1800s. “We keep records for the land, and we keep records for the court cases,” she said, explaining that much of the job involves helping members of the public determine what documents they need and how to access them.

Hood described duties related to e-filing, court reporting, and the handling of criminal and civil case records. She said the office must ensure filings are placed in the correct case and available to judges when needed.

When asked about improvements she would like to make at the office, Wolfenbarger said she would like to pursue grant funding to modernize equipment and expand access to records. “I would love to see it where our land records could be out to the public for free,” she said.

Hood said her goals included improving electronic systems for filings and payments. She told the audience she would like to see attorneys able to file paperwork without delays and to restore credit card payment options for fines so residents would not have to leave and return to make payments.

When asked why she chose to run on the Republican ticket, Wolfenbarger said “As a Republican? Yes, it's all the values I have, God, family, country. My daddy was in World War Two.  And hard work. I believe in God, I believe in the country, I believe in everything else.”

In answer to the same question, Hood said “I decided to run as a Republican because I feel that the values, beliefs and moral values for Republican Party fits. I’m pro-life. [If] you don't believe me, my 15- year-old daughter came and told me she was pregnant. She is now seven years old. So that's one of my beliefs, just a religious belief, I think that pretty much sums [it] up.”

Justice of the Peace, District 1

Claudia Griffin, the Republican candidate for Justice of the Peace for District 1, which is contested this year, was introduced.  Though her opponent’s name was called, she did not appear. But Griffin did not pass up the chance to address the audience about her candidacy in response to the questions.

Griffin said she was seeking the position in order to represent the residents of her district at the county level and to be involved in decisions affecting county government. She spoke about the role of a justice of the peace in voting on ordinances, budgets, and other matters that come before the quorum court.

In response to questions about her qualifications, Griffin cited her decades of experience working in education, most specifically with the state department of education.

“I have spent a great deal of time working in Little Rock for the Arkansas Department of Higher Ed, for the Arkansas Workforce Investment Board, for the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, various things. I did retire last year but it was not my choice,” she said, but doing so allowed her to take better care of her husband.

Griffin said her decision to run was prompted by her husband James, a longtime educator and District 7 JP, deciding to leave his position after strokes robbed him of some of his communication abilities.  She is also motivated by a desire to serve and to have a voice in how county resources are allocated, particularly on issues that directly affect residents of District 7.

Asked what she would say to voters, Griffin revealed a focus on what is in store for Hempstead County in the next few years. “I really feel strongly we're going to need new jobs in Hope. We will have jobs all around us. With the lithium plant coming up in Lewisville, we're going to need houses. We need education for a lot of these people. I'm so glad that Ricky Tompkins is here [as new UAHT Chancellor]. Dr. Tompkins is committed to giving the education that's needed. One of the things that we may have to do is develop a way of putting people to work. A program finding jobs for people.”

County Treasurer

Candidate Amber Mackey introduced herself as a nine-year employee in the county treasurer’s office.  “I worked very closely with [current Hempstead County Treasurer] Judy Flowers in all aspects of the job, and during her unfortunate illness, when she was out an extended period of time, I took care of the office in all aspects, making sure everything stayed compliant during that time, making sure payroll continued to be processed, so the schools and the towns and cities got their checks, maintaining accurate financial records and serving the taxpayers from Hempstead County with integrity, accountability and transparency.”

Tax Collector

Diane Honea Westbrook, who grew up in Blevins, has been Deputy County Tax Collector since the office was split off from that of sheriff by the Arkansas legislature.  In the first election to fill the Tax Collector position, Westbrook said she was encouraged to run by Sheriff Singleton.  She said she favored an open-door policy, loves to help people and welcomes every question from those needing information.

She announced an app to convey information and announcements was on line as of that night.  It is called Hempstead County Connect and is now available for Android and Iphone on their respective app stores.

County Clerk

Incumbent County Clerk Karen Smith, who is running for re-election, was next to address the audience.

Smith outlined the responsibilities of the county clerk’s office, including record keeping, elections, and serving as clerk to the county quorum court. She said the office plays a central role in maintaining official county documents and ensuring that public records are accurate and accessible.

Smith spoke about her experience in the position and said that familiarity with election law and statutory requirements was critical to carrying out the duties of the office. She described the work of the clerk as detail-oriented and said accuracy and consistency were essential.

Asked why she was seeking another term, Smith said continuity and experience were important for the office and that she wanted to continue the work she had begun during her current term.

Other Unopposed Candidates

Several candidates who are unopposed in their respective races were also given time to address the audience. These included Incumbent District 5 JP Victor Ford and Incumbent District 7 JP Steve Atchley.

Those candidates briefly outlined their backgrounds and the offices they were seeking, describing their experience and reasons for running. They spoke about public service, stewardship of county resources, and their commitment to fulfilling the duties of their offices if elected.  To hear their presentations and those of all the other candidtes, refer to the recording of the forum which will be placed on SWARK.Today’s Youtube channel.

Atchley closed the forum by thanking the candidates for their willingness to run for office and the audience for attending. A closing prayer was offered before the meeting adjourned.