SILOAM SPRINGS -- City Prosecutor David Bailey announced his candidacy for district court judge.
Bailey has been a lawyer for 23 years in Benton County.
Stephen Thomas confirmed Tuesday he isn't seeking re-election.
"David has proven himself to be an outstanding attorney and a hard worker for his clients, for Siloam Springs and for all of Benton County," Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox said. "He stood strong against drunk driving while serving as the prosecuting attorney for Siloam Springs for nearly 20 years. I believe he will make an excellent judge."
"David has the calm temperament and will treat everybody fairly, regardless of who they are," Sach Oliver, a lawyer, said.
Bailey practices family and civil law and his firm was voted six times as Best Law Firm in the Siloam Springs Herald Leader reader's choice awards, according to his announcement.
Bailey said he's one of the few lawyers in his area fluent in Spanish, and he believes his fluency will help people communicate with the court as interpreters are not always readily available.
Bailey touted his actions as prosecutor and working with state legislators.
"I worked with our Rep. Robin Lundstrum and Sen. Jim Hendren in making our DWI laws tougher for drunk drivers who cross our borders from the casino in Oklahoma or from Missouri," he said.
Bailey said safety will be a priority for him as district judge.
"I believe it's important for a judge to serve the people -- not the other way around," he said. "I'll urge our community to build a stronger safety network for women and children who are caught in a broken cycle of violence or drugs."
Elections in Arkansas for district judges are nonpartisan. The 2020 election will be March 3. Runoffs will be on the general election ballot in November.
The term for district judges is four years and the annual salary is $147,084.
NW News on 07/18/2019