Won't run for court position, justice says

LITTLE ROCK — Supreme Court Justice Elana Wills says she will not seek a position on the high court next year.

Wills had been considering running for Position 6, now held by Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber, who is retiring effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Wills was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe to replace Justice Tom Glaze who retired last year. She is barred by the state constitution from running for that seat, which is Position 3.

"I promised the citizens of Arkansas when I accepted my current appointment to do my best to try to fill the considerable shoes of the Honorable Justice Tom Glaze. Running a statewide election campaign would make it very difficult to keep that promise," Wills said.

Wills of Little Rock is a former assistant attorney general. Her husband, Jay Wills, is an attorney for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.

There are two announced candidates for Position 6: Court of Appeals Judge Karen Baker and Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox.

Running for Position 3 are Court of Appeals Judge Courtney Henry and Circuit Judge John Fogleman of Marion.