Constable races on ballot
Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
BENTON COUNTY - There are 13 positions for constables in Benton County, but only six will be contested in the Tuesday primary elections.
Townships 1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 each feature two or more Republican candidates. There are no contested Democratic nominations, and the Democratic candidates will be automatically listed on the general-election ballots in November.
The position of constable was created by the Arkansas Constitution. At that time, the constables often represented the only law enforcement in a given area. Those holding those positions were given the same powers as a county sheriff.
Now, the duties of a constable are often questioned. Some in the law-enforcement community see the position as a more ceremonial role, while others say the constable's role is to assist the Sheriff's Office. Some say that because of the prevalence of sheriff's deputies and city police departments, the position of constable has become outdated.
Following is a list of those running for a constable seat: Township 1 James Hollenbeck, Republican Grant Hardin, Republican Lee R. Paull, Democrat Township 2 Mike Pierce, Republican Jimmy F. Brown, Democrat Township 3 Michael S. Ford, Republican Kevin Stearman, Republican Gary L. McLennan, Republican Township 4 Casey Ward, Democrat Craig Milligan, Republican Township 5 Steve Spraggins, Republican Township 6 David Ibarra, Democrat Sam J. Reyna, Republican Township 7 Mike Criss, Republican Jess Arnold, Republican Township 8 Jim Jefferson, Republican Keith Brummett, Republican Harold L. Bass, Republican Township 9 Christopher Gibson, Republican Bobby Joel "BJ"Burney, Republican Township 10 Craig Fisher, Republican J. Neff Basore, Republican Township 11 Gordon Fisher, Republican Township 12 Matthew Rahn, Republican Township 13 A. L. Hollingsworth, Republican
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