LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders made significant leadership appointments on Friday, naming a new secretary of state and two new justices to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Cole Jester Named Secretary of State
Cole Jester has been appointed as Arkansas’s secretary of state, succeeding John Thurston, who was elected state treasurer last month. Jester has served as the deputy chief legal counsel for Gov. Sanders over the past two years, bringing extensive legal expertise to his new role.
Arkansas Supreme Court Appointments
Gov. Sanders also filled two seats on the Arkansas Supreme Court:
- Nicholas Bronni: Formerly Arkansas’s solicitor general, Bronni will replace Justice Karen Baker, who was elected chief justice in November.
- Justice Cody Hiland: Already a member of the court due to his appointment 18 months ago following the death of Justice Robin Wynne, Hiland will now move into a different seat on the court.
These appointments reflect Gov. Sanders’s commitment to shaping the state’s leadership with individuals she believes are well-equipped to serve Arkansas effectively.