Two Women Compete for Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice

The Arkansas race for state Supreme Court chief justice features Justices Karen Baker and Rhonda Wood, both vying to make history as the first woman elected to the position. Despite the nonpartisan nature of the court, Republican-backed justices currently hold a 4-3 majority, which is expected to expand to 5-2 regardless of the race outcome. Wood has garnered support from prominent Republicans including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, while Baker emphasizes her nonpartisan stance. The Supreme Court will also hear a redistricting case involving Louisiana's congressional map, specifically addressing the legitimacy of a second majority Black district, which could influence the upcoming elections. This case follows a lower court's rejection of the map, but the Supreme Court has allowed its use for the 2024 elections amidst ongoing legal battles. Overall, both Arkansas and Louisiana face significant judicial and electoral shifts in the near future.