Wendell Griffen Wins Pulaski County Judge Race

Democrat Wendell Griffen defeated Republican Michael Rushin to become Pulaski County judge, winning about 67% of the vote with nearly all precincts reporting. A retired circuit judge, former Arkansas Court of Appeals judge and ordained minister, Griffen will succeed Barry Hyde, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary. Griffen campaigned on budget transparency, accountability and tighter oversight of large data center projects, while Rushin emphasized his business experience, county operations and the potential for data-center partnerships. The county judge leads Arkansas’ most populous county; Griffen’s election makes him its first Black chief executive.