Judicial Candidates

There are a lot of judicial candidates busily campaigning. Even civically engaged citizens may be confused about who is running for what. Here's the landscape:

Arkansas is divided into judicial districts. Some districts consist of one county, some have multiple counties. Washington and Madison County comprise the 4th judicial District.

There are eight (8) circuit judges that serve the 4th judicial district. Each judge presides over a "division." So, we have 8 judges for 8 divisions. The current judges and their divisions are below:

1. Judge Doug Martin

2. Judge John Threet

3. Judge Dawn Egan

4. Judge Cristi Beaumont

5. Judge Beth Storey Bryan

6. Judge Matt Durrett

7. Judge Joanna Taylor

8. Judge Diane Warren

There are five (5) subject matters of cases assigned to the courts:

1. Criminal

2. Domestic Relations

3. Civil

4. Probate

5. Juvenile
   

   The judges meet periodically and decide how to allocate cases between judges. Currently, there are two divisions that handle juvenile matters: Division 3 and Division 8. Those divisions also handle a portion of the Domestic Relations docket and a portion of the Probate docket. All Criminal cases in which a juvenile is charged as an adult are assigned to Division 8.

In March 2026, several of the judges will be up for re-election. There are three contested races for Circuit Judge.

Division 2: Judge Threet is not running for re-election. Candidates for the open seat are Seth Creed, Wendy Howerton and Kristin Pawlik.

Division 3: Judge Stacey Zimmerman held this seat for many years. She retired before the end of her latest term. Dawn Egan was appointed to fill her unexpired term and is NOT running for that position. Candidates for Division 3 are Maria McSperitt and April Shy.

Division 8: Judge Diane Warren was elected to the position in 2020. She is running for re-election. Judge Dawn Egan and Joanna Clarie are also running for the seat.