Voters across five North Arkansas counties will have a chance to hear directly from candidates seeking circuit judge positions during a public forum on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.
The Independence County Bar Association will host the 16th Judicial District Candidate Forum at 6 p.m. at Independence Hall on the UACCB campus. The forum comes during what organizers describe as a nearly unprecedented election season, with all four circuit judge divisions in the district contested.
The 16th Judicial District includes Cleburne, Stone, Independence, Izard, and Fulton counties. A total of nine candidates will appear on the March 3, 2026, ballot for the four circuit judge positions.
In the 1st Division, which traditionally hears civil and probate matters, candidates are Circuit Judge Holly Meyer and District Judge Chaney Taylor.
The 2nd Division, which typically handles domestic relations cases, guardianships, and adoptions, includes candidates Scott Davidson, Kara Byars, and Thomas Kendrick.
The 3rd Division, which focuses on juvenile matters and child support cases, features candidates Circuit Judge Lee Harrod and Mathew Gray Dellinger.
The 4th Division, which traditionally hears felony criminal cases, includes candidates Maureen Harrod and Kimberly Edington.
The bar association said it is hosting the forum as a neutral third party and has invited all candidates to participate. Each candidate will receive equal time to address the public, followed by a question-and-answer session. Questions will be screened and may be submitted by members of the public, the media and the bar.
Judicial ethics rules prohibit candidates from offering opinions on issues that could come before the court or engaging in conduct that could undermine the integrity of the judiciary.
The event will conclude with an opportunity for attendees to meet and speak with the candidates.
For more information, the public may contact Independence County Bar Association Vice President Ben Pollitzer at ben.pollitzer@uaccb.edu or President Barrett Moore at bsm@blastlaw.com.
The Independence County Bar Association is a voluntary association of attorneys practicing in and around Batesville.
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