Walnut Ridge elects new city attorney; other Lawrence Co. race results

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Voters in Lawrence County made their choices Tuesday night in several important races.

Notably, Walnut Ridge re-elected Mayor Charles Snapp and elected a new city attorney in Ethan Weeks. Lawrence County re-elected Jeff Yates as sheriff. Several races, including for Lawrence County treasurer and Hoxie mayor, will see run-off elections as no candidate achieved a majority of votes.

Arkansas law dictates run-offs be “three weeks following the date of the general election at which the names of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes, but not a majority, shall be placed on the ballot to be voted upon by the qualified electors of the county.”

Thus, early voting begins on the 27th and the runoff election itself will be Dec. 4.

Lawrence County

Sheriff: Jeff Yates (D) (2,661, 57%) defeats Jimmy Danley (R) (2,028, 43%).

Treasurer: Samantha Jones (R) (1,850, 40%) and Connie Mullen (D) (1,824, 39%) will go to a run-off election. Placing third was Rob Combs (I) with 990 votes (21%).

JP District 5: Junior Briner (D) (296, 51%) narrowly beat Frank Owens (I) (289, 49%). Seven votes decided the race.

Constable – Boas: Chris Ditto (R) (475, 70%) beat Phillip Diggs (D) (208, 30%).

Constable – Dowell: Richard Alls (D) (22, 58%) beat Felipe Baiza (R) (16, 42%).

Walnut Ridge

Mayor: Charles Snapp (1,161, 73%) easily defeated JR Rogers (436, 27%)

City Attorney: Ethan Weeks (898, 57%) proved to be more than a nuisance to City Attorney Nancy Hall (680, 43%), who lost her reelection bid.

City Council (Ward 1, Pos. 1): Wendell Jones (1,008, 64%) beat David Martin (561, 36%)

City Council (Ward 4, Pos. 1): Ty Callahan (890, 57%) beat Jeff Taylor (675, 43%).

Hoxie

Hoxie Mayor: Dennis Coggins (240, 38%) bested Mayor Lanny Tinker (213, 33%) but not by enough to win. The two will face each other in a run-off election. John W. Stowers (72, 11%), Marty Harris (64, 10%), and Redda Russell (49, 8%) rounded out election night results in the packed race.

Hoxie City Clerk: Peggy Miles (431, 66%) bested Jen Doyle (219, 34%).

Hoxie City Council (Ward 1, Pos. 1): Steve Adamson (276, 44%) will face Darrell Pickney (223, 36%) in a run-off. Wayne Callahan received 128 votes, or 20%.

Hoxie City Council (Ward 2, Pos. 1): Kenny Franks (360, 57%) defeated Larry Couch (268, 43%).

Hoxie City Council (Ward 3, Pos. 1): Becky Linebaugh (262, 42%) will face Cliff Farmer (188, 30%) in a run-off. Richard Millsap (179, 28%) placed third.

Black Rock

Black Rock Mayor: Bonnie Ragsdale (130, 63%) was reelected, defeating Vesta K. Smith (45, 22%) and Gayle Brock (31, 15%).

Black Rock City Council (Ward 1, Pos. 1): Trisha Meeks (89, 44%) and Greg Hall (65, 32%) will face off in a run-off election. Christy Robertson was the third candidate in the race, getting 49 votes or 24 percent.

Ravenden

Ravenden Mayor: James Larry Gibbens (97, 63%) defeated Dannie Smith (58, 37%).

Ravenden City Council (Pos. 1): Timothy McComas (85, 55%) beat Betty J. Clements (70, 45%)

Ravenden City Council (Pos. 3): Larry “Butch” Dail (83, 54%) defeated Clarence Henson (70, 46%)

Ravenden City Council (Pos. 4): John G. Starnes (83, 55%) beat Patrick Hovis (69, 45%)

Ravenden City Council (Pos. 5): Steven Blansett (87, 58%) beat Donna Bartlett (63, 42%)