Voters in Stone County will decide several key races in the March 3 Preferential Primary, including contests for sheriff and county judge, along with two school district questions.
Incumbent Sheriff Brandon Long is seeking a second term. Long points to expanded deputy training, targeted drug operations and the addition of two K-9 units as accomplishments during his first term. If reelected, he says he plans to continue strengthening those efforts and expand outreach programs in local schools and the jail.
Challenger Dennis Simons retired from the Arkansas State Police in 2021 after serving as the criminal investigator for Stone County since 2003. A 1985 graduate of Mountain View High School, Simons served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1992. He also worked as a narcotics investigator in the 16th Judicial District.
Three candidates are seeking the office of Stone County judge Tim Hudspeth, Jim Nesbitt and Darryl Sullivan.
Hudspeth has served on the Stone County Quorum Court, where he chaired the Budget Committee. He has stated his background in management has prepared him to lead the county.
Nesbitt, also a former Quorum Court member, says he wants to prioritize improving county roads, including access routes, to help stimulate economic growth.
Sullivan cites 10 years of law enforcement experience and 15 years in banking. He says his focus would be improving roads, encouraging economic development and protecting rural values.
Two Justice of the Peace races will also be on the ballot. In District 4, incumbent Jason Kocher faces Robert Huckleberry. In the district race 5 incumbent Ronald Clark faces Tammy Knapp.
Voters will also decide two school district separation questions. One asks whether territory formerly part of the Rural Special School District should detach from the Mountain View School District and re-establish an independent Rural Special district under Act 919 of 2025. The second asks whether territory formerly known as Stone County School District No. 1 should detach from Mountain View and re-form as the Timbo School District under the same law. The Timbo question will appear on ballots in Stone, Searcy and Baxter counties.
Early voting will be held at the Stone County Election Office, 111 N. Peabody Ave. in Mountain View. Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 1720 and Feb. 2327; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21 and Feb. 28; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2.
On Election Day, March 3, polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Vote centers will be located at Arbanna Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church in Timbo, Dodd Mountain VFD, the Stone County Fairgrounds (new building), Fifty Six Community Center, Foothills Baptist Church, Fox Community Center and Pleasant Grove Community Center.
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