Four facing off in Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice race

Next month’s race for chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court is a four-person contest, with three members of the state’s highest court and a former state representative vying for the post.

Voters will go to the polls on March 5 to choose a successor for retiring Chief Justice Dan Kemp. Arkansas’ judges are selected in non-partisan elections that are held simultaneously with the state’s political primaries. Early voting begins Tuesday.

Unless one candidate captures a majority of votes next month, the race will be decided in a run-off election that will be held in conjunction with the Nov. 5 presidential election. The winner will take office on Jan. 1.

Kemp, 72, of Mountain View is stepping aside after one term due to a law that requires circuit judges and higher to forfeit their retirement benefits if they run for judicial office after turning 70.

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