The Arkansas Ethics Commission has dismissed complaints against Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and Secretary of State Cole Jester, ruling that neither violated state campaign finance laws in their 2026 election filings, according to documents released by the commission.
In separate 4-0 votes, commissioners found Rutledge and Jester complied with reporting requirements for campaign contribution and expenditure reports. Commission Director Graham Sloan notified both officeholders of the decisions in letters sent Friday.
Rutledge is seeking a second term as lieutenant governor. Jester is running for commissioner of state lands.
The complaints were filed in September by ArkLeg Bill Tracker co-founder Janie Ginocchio, who alleged the candidates submitted incomplete and inaccurate financial reports. Ginocchio also filed similar complaints against Attorney General Tim Griffin, state Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle, state Sen. Ben Gilmore, R-Crossett, and political action committees tied to them. The commission has not yet ruled on those cases.
In his letters, Sloan wrote that while some expenditures on the candidates’ original filings did not include descriptions, Arkansas law does not explicitly require them. He also noted that both Rutledge and Jester amended their reports “for transparency” after the complaints were filed.
The commission additionally dismissed a complaint against Arkansas Association of Counties Executive Director Chris Villines, who serves on the Arkansas Cyber Response Board. Ginocchio alleged Villines failed to disclose required financial information for 2024.
A clerical error in Sloan’s initial letter to Villines incorrectly suggested the commission had issued a public letter of caution. A corrected letter was sent Tuesday.
Jester said in a statement he is “thankful for the role the Ethics Commission plays, not just in punishing bad actors, but in protecting good actors from inaccurate complaints.”
For original reporting from Arkansas Advocate, click here.
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