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Judge hopefuls opt for filing fee |
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Friday, 08 February 2008 |
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By Lynda Hollenbeck Courier Staff Judicial candidates in Arkansas may seek office by one of two methods: They may file by petition or pay a traditional filing fee.
Three circuit judgeships, including a newly established one, will appear on voters’ ballots in Saline County.
Most of the candidates for those offices have elected to go the petition route, but two — both seeking the judgeship being vacated by longtime Circuit Judge Robert Garrett — are paying filing fees.
Benton attorney Robert Herzfeld, a former prosecuting attorney for Saline County, and Bryant attorney Paul White are candidates for the position held by Garrett, who is retiring at the end of his term.
Herzfeld said he “always intended to pay a filing fee.”
White said decided to do both. “I collected signatures and I’m paying a filing fee, too.”
He said he considered the process for collecting signatures an opportunity to meet voters.
The filing period for candidates running by petition ended last week. The period for candidates paying filing fees runs from noon March 3 until noon March 10.
A judge candidate’s petition must bear the signatures of 958 registered voters and the petition must be submitted to the secretary of state’s office.
If circuit judge candidates choose to pay a filing fee, the amount is $5,248, which represents 4 percent of a judge’s annual salary.
Benton attorneys Brent Standridge, 47, and Bobby C. McCallister, 43, are candidates for a new judge’s position in the 22nd Judicial District. Both of the candidates for the Division 1 position have filed by petition.
Circuit Judge Gary M. Arnold, 60, of Benton is seeking re-election to his Division 2 judgeship in the 22nd Judicial District; and Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips, 58, of Benton is seeking another term in the Division 3 judgeship he holds in the 22nd judicial District. They, too, have filed by the petition method.
District judges — formerly known as municipal judges — are required to gather the signatures of 30 registered voters.
The petitions are submitted to the county clerk’s office. |
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