BENTONVILLE -- John Skaggs and Charlie Turner jumped into the crowded mayoral race.
Skaggs, 73, filed for candidacy Thursday, and Turner filed Friday morning not long before the noon deadline.
Their additions brings the mayoral race to five. The other candidates are Stephanie Orman, Terry Shannon and Jim Webb. Mayor Bob McCaslin isn't seeking re-election.
Skaggs is a Bentonville native and retired Benton County district judge.
"I am concerned with balance between growth with youthful energy and peaceful living for older citizens," he said. "I believe in promoting citizen involvement in city government. We need to know and understand our history; we need to see the direction of our future."
Skaggs served on the City Council from 1984-86 and from June 2014 through 2016. He served five terms as municipal judge and one term as district judge.
Skaggs earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from University of Arkansas in 1970 and a juris doctorate from University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1977. He practiced law in Bentonville.
He's a member and a former president of the Bentonville High School Alumni Association. He served on the founding board of the Helen R. Walton Children's Center and helped develop the DWI Court in Division 2 of the Benton County District Court.
Skaggs is a member of the Benton County Bar Association, former board member of Bentonville Historical Museum, and founder and board member of Vintage Bentonville.
He and his wife, Jerri Lynn, have been married 40 years and attend Fellowship Bible Church.
A message for Turner on Friday afternoon wasn't returned by 5 p.m.
The mayor's salary is $132,954 annually.
The nonpartisan election will be Nov. 6.
NW News on 08/18/2018