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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Two justices who split on whether Arkansas voters should have the chance to scale back the state’s abortion ban are both vying to lead the state Supreme Court, though the election won’t affect the court’s conservative tilt.
Justices Rhonda Wood and Karen Baker are running to replace Chief Justice Dan Kemp in Tuesday’s election, where all four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats who were trying to break the GOP’s hold on the state’s federal seats.
Voters will also be asked to approve a constitutional amendment that would revoke the license issued by a state panel for a casino.
A historic race for chief justice
No matter if Wood or Baker wins, history will be made: For the first time, Arkansas will elect a woman to chief justice of its Supreme Court.
The two justices were on opposites sides of the debate over whether to keep a measure on the ballot that would have scaled back an Arkansas law banning nearly all abortions.