Wendy Howerton, a candidate for Circuit Judge in Division 2 covering Washington and Madison counties, says her campaign is rooted in more than two decades of legal practice across criminal, civil, probate, and family law.

A former public defender who handled misdemeanor cases across multiple courts, Howerton emphasized her current work on complex illegal-exaction litigation and multi-county taxpayer cases as preparation for a docket that includes civil jury trials, probate, and civil commitment matters.

Howerton also pointed to her service on the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Professional Conduct Committee, where she helps decide attorney discipline, as evidence of her ability to make difficult, impartial decisions.

The Division 2 bench will handle a mix of family law, civil, probate, and civil commitment cases beginning this year.

Early voting began February 17, with Election Day set for March 3.

Learn more about Howerton runwithwendy2026.com

3️⃣ Key Topics + Time Codes

Race overview / position

• 00:00:09 – 00:00:35 → Nonpartisan circuit judge race, Division 2, March 3 election

Background & upbringing

• 00:00:35 – 00:02:09 → Small-town Jessieville roots, large family, work ethic

Education & path to law

• 00:02:09 – 00:03:32 → Track scholarship to Arkansas State, paid way through law school

Motivation to become an attorney

• 00:04:11 – 00:06:25 → Childhood rent dispute story; desire to give a voice to those who can’t afford lawyers

Early legal career

• 00:06:46 – 00:08:37 → Public defender handling all misdemeanors in Washington County; high-volume courtroom experience

Breadth of legal practice

• 00:08:02 – 00:09:01 → Real estate, evictions, personal injury, criminal, civil matters

Why she’s running for judge

• 00:10:09 – 00:13:38 → Illegal-exaction/taxpayer litigation; community encouragement; passion for fairness

Division 2 docket breakdown

• 00:14:02 – 00:16:25 → Family law, civil, probate, civil commitment; civil jury trial focus

Current practice & major cases

• 00:17:43 – 00:21:40 → Statewide illegal-exaction case; multi-county $18 fee litigation; constitutional research

What sets her apart

• 00:22:27 – 00:25:40 → 20+ years’ experience, complex cases, civil jury trial work, client perspective

Community involvement / events

• 00:26:02 – 00:28:43 → Candidate forums, League of Women Voters, campaign outreach

Professional Conduct Committee

• 00:29:18 – 00:31:09 → Supreme Court appointment, attorney discipline decisions, ethics oversight