BENTONVILLE — Benton County voters will have contested races for county judge, a pair of seats on the Quorum Court and one constable position for the May 20 Republican Party primary.

The weeklong filing period for county, township and district offices ended at noon Monday in the County Clerk's office, which was open from 8 a.m. through noon even though Sunday's winter storm prompted the closing of other county offices.

Representatives of the county's Republican and Democratic parties who were set up outside the Clerk's Office to help with last-minute filings said there were no problems. County Clerk Tena O'Brien confirmed that the last day of filing went well.

"It was great." O'Brien said. "It was slow. We had three filings, one for justice of the peace and two for constable."

Republican Party voters will choose among three candidates for county judge with the incumbent, Bob Clinard being challenged by Dale King, a former justice of the peace, and Ronnie L. Smith, who ran for county judge as an independent two years ago.

The District 1 seat on the Quorum Court, which covers eastern Benton County, has drawn four candidates. Mike McKenzie, the incumbent, will face Ron Easley, Mary L. Gardner and Elizabeth Bowen. The second race for justice of the peace is in District 4, which includes southwestern Rogers, western Lowell and Cave Springs. Tom Allen, the incumbent, will face Clell Alden in that contest.

Monday's filings included one candidate for constable from the Libertarian Party. Jacob Faught of Gentry filed for the District 5 constable position. Faught is the only candidate for that position. Monday's other filing for constable was Jim Hollenbeck, who filed for the District 1 position. Hollenbeck will face Ronald Garratt for that position in the Republican primary.

Voters also will have a choice in the race for prosecuting attorney. Van Stone, the incumbent, announced last week he will not seek re-election, and two candidates filed for that office. Nathan Smith, a deputy prosecutor, announced last week he will seek the office and Kimberly Weber, a Rogers attorney, filed for the post Monday. Those seeking election as prosecuting attorney file as nonpartisan candidates.

No Democratic Party candidates filed for any county or district offices.

NW News on 03/04/2014