Washington County Justices Of The Peace Say No To Re-Election

Cochran
Cochran

The Washington County Quorum Court will have several new faces come 2015.

At least six of the 15 justices of the peace say they don’t plan to run for election this year.

The group includes Barbara Fitzpatrick and Candy Clark, both third-term Democrats, as well as Republicans Rick Cochran, Jimmy Mardis and Rex Bailey. Diane Bryant, a Democrat for District 10, can’t legally run for election to her position because she was appointed by the governor in October.

Clark
Clark
Bailey
Bailey
Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick

For Bailey, who first joined Springdale’s City Council in 1992 and is in his third Quorum Court term, it’s time to simplify his life.

“I’ve been in and out of city and county government since 1992, and I’m just tired,” Bailey said. “That’s the sum of it right there. I think when you stay too long, you kind of become ineffective. You can stay too long.”

Bailey is a reliable fiscal conservative who first stood out when he voted against three county budgets in a row. He said the process has been reined in to balance budgets without depending on reserves.

“I’m happy with our accomplishments on the six years I’ve been on it,” he said, crediting the leadership of Clark, who chairs the finance committee.

Clark announced in October she wants to represent state House District 84, which covers Elkins and part of Fayetteville. Clark said last week she would focus on rural, education and water and food issues.

“I think that Rex has an awful lot of insight and experience,” she said. “We don’t agree on everything, but when we walk out that door, the friendship is still there. I’m going to miss all of them.”

Fitzpatrick, Mardis and Cochran said a variety of personal reasons likely have overridden plans for re-election.

Fitzpatrick, an administrative assistant at the University of Arkansas, said she’s always had trouble finding transportation to all the meetings, sometimes depending on other justices for rides.

“The truth to tell, the unpleasantness during budget time is kind of reinforced,” added Fitzpatrick, referring to her sometimes testy exchanges with the more conservative members. “Maybe I’ve done my stint, you know?”

At A Glance

Open Seats

Justices of the peace who don’t plan to run for re-election to the Washington County Quorum Court:

Jimmy Mardis, R, District 2

Rex Bailey, R, District 6

Rick Cochran, R, District 7

Barbara Fitzpatrick, D, District 8

Candy Clark, D, District 12

Source: Staff Report

Mardis, who’s in his first term representing part of Springdale, said he and his wife would likely move to Rogers, something they’ve considered for years. He said he had no plans either way to run for Benton County government.

Cochran, in his second term for District 7 west of Fayetteville, pointed to family concerns that need his time.

“You might see me back there taking a look at it in a few years,” Cochran added, referring to a return to the Quorum Court.

Democrat Eva Madison said Friday she wasn’t prepared to announce either way. Several phone calls and an email last week to Republican Ron Aman weren’t returned by press time.

Republicans Tom Lundstrum, Harvey Bowman, Joe Patterson, Bill Ussery and Butch Pond plan to run again, as do Democrats Ann Harbison and John Firmin. Whether it’s water or bridges or budgets, all said they have a cause to keep fighting for.

“I’ve still got some things I’d like to see done,” said Harbison, serving her fifth term representing rural District 14 south of Fayetteville. “Bridges and roads, you know, we gave the county judge some extra money to do those things, and I’d just like to see it.”

Upcoming Events