In a ground-breaking race for Arkansas highest court two justices – Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood – moved forward to a runoff after Marchʼs four-candidate contest where neither got enough votes to win
The non-partisan election (which will replace outgoing leader Dan Kemp) hasnt seen the usual big-money support from GOP groups that marked previous races: however its significance lies in guaranteeing a historic outcome
Despite the upcoming leadership change the courts conservative-leaning majority will stay intact – the runoff simply determines which experienced justice will take the helm. Both candidates bring strong backgrounds to the position; their match-up follows a first round where they emerged as top picks from a field of 4 candidates