BATESVILLE, Ark. — Independence County voters overwhelmingly supported incumbents in major county offices during Tuesday’s preferential primary election, while nonpartisan judicial races in the 16th Judicial District saw decisive outcomes and one close contest.
Unofficial results from the Independence County Election Commission and statewide reporting showed strong turnout for the March 3 election, with incumbents Kevin B. Jeffery, Shawn Stephens and emerging winners in the clerk and circuit judge races.
County Offices
- County Judge: Incumbent Kevin B. Jeffery (R) defeated challenger Mark W. Biram with 4,002 votes to Biram’s 790, securing another term to lead county administration, roads, budgets and quorum court operations.
- Sheriff: Incumbent Shawn Stephens (R) handily defeated Susan Baxter with 4,188 votes to Baxter’s 664. Stephens will continue overseeing the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, including patrol, jail administration and investigations.
- County Clerk: Gena Lawrence (R) defeated Lisa Ann Drake with 2,589 votes to Drakes 2016. Lawrence will assume the open seat left by retiring Clerk Tracey Mitchell, managing vital records, elections, probate and quorum court documentation.
16th Judicial District Circuit Judges
The five-county district (Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard and Stone) saw four contested nonpartisan circuit judge races, with results as follows (vote percentages and totals from district-wide reporting):
- Division 1: Incumbent Holly Meyer defeated longtime Independence County District Judge Chaney Taylor, 10,771 votes (59.41%) to Taylor’s 7,360 (40.59%). Meyer will continue handling civil and probate matters.
- Division 2: Kara Byars won in a three-way race against Scott Davidson and Thomas Kendrick, receiving 8,522 votes (47.72%). Davidson garnered 5,404 (30.26%), and Kendrick 3,932 (22.02%). There will be a runoff in November with Davidson
- Division 3: Incumbent Lee Harrod defeated Mathew Gray Dellinger with 11,072 votes (62.15%) to Dellinger’s 6,742 (37.85%). Harrod continues in the juvenile and child support-focused division.
- Division 4: Kimberly Edington held a narrow 25-vote lead over Maureen Harrod as of initial tallies late Tuesday, with results subject to final certification. Division 4 primarily handles felony criminal cases. No immediate runoff was indicated, but officials noted the close margin could prompt review of provisional or absentee ballots.
The 16th Judicial District covers trial-level civil, criminal, juvenile and family matters across the region, with judges elected district-wide.
Results remain unofficial pending certification by county election commissions and the Arkansas Secretary of State. Full district and county breakdowns, including any Justice of the Peace or school board races, are available through local election offices or the Secretary of State’s election night reporting site.
Voters in Independence County and the 16th District supported continuity in executive offices while refreshing the judiciary with experienced attorneys and incumbents. The general election for partisan offices and any unresolved judicial matters will occur in November 2026. All candidates and winners are presumed qualified based on filings and results. For official updates, visit the Independence County Election Commission or arkansas.gov/elections.