Democratic JP and candidate drop from Quorum Court race

Gaber
Gaber

FAYETTEVILLE -- Joseph Kieklak, a Democrat running for re-election without opposition to the Washington County Quorum Court, is moving out of his district and has dropped out of the race, party officials said.

Candidates are allowed to drop out of races and be replaced by their party if they meet specific criteria, including moving out of their district, said Reed Brewer, communications director for the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Whoever Democrats choose will be placed on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election.

What’s the Quorum Court?

The Washington County Quorum Court is the legislative body of county government. Justices of the peace, who are elected to two-year terms, are paid about $200 per meeting. About $155,000 is set aside this year to pay their salaries, according to the 2018 budget. The court’s duties include appropriating public money for the expenses of the county.

Source: Washington County

Kieklak represents south Fayetteville. He did not return messages left on his cellphone and sent via social media Friday.

Kieklak was elected to the two-year term in 2016 and serves on the committees for county services and personnel issues.

Lisa Whitaker, chairwoman of the Washington County Democrats, said Kieklak is taking a teaching position in Little Rock. She said two people have expressed interest in being candidates.

Kieklak is the second Democratic justice of the peace candidate to drop from the race. A special convention to replace them is planned for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20, Whitaker said.

Andrew Gaber said he moved out of his district and is no longer running for the seat that covers northern Springdale.

Gaber faced longtime Justice of the Peace Harvey Bowman, a Republican. Bowman handily defeated Gaber for the same seat in 2016. About 62 percent of voters cast ballots for Bowman during that election, according to Washington County Election Commission results.

Gaber said Friday he has accepted a university job in Oklahoma and lives in Fort Smith.

The state Democratic party chairman notified the governor about the two vacancies Thursday, Brewer said.

Democrats plan to choose the new candidates before the Election Commission holds its ballot draw to place names on the ballot Aug. 24, Brewer said. Candidates are expected to be certified by the County Clerk by Aug. 23, county officials said.

The deadline to be a write-in candidate has passed, said Jennifer Price, Washington County Election Commission executive director.

No candidates have said they want to run against Bowman, so Bowman could become unopposed in the general election, Whitaker said. There is still time for someone to come forward, she added.

Gaber said he hopes to see strong candidates volunteer to run.

"I just hope that somebody steps forward, who will run, who will ask the critical questions about accountability in county government and ensure that the county remains fiscally solvent," Gaber said.

NW News on 08/11/2018

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