After 26 years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Wes Bradford wants to serve the public in a different role and has announced he will run for the position of District Judge for Boone, Newton and Searcy counties. The current District Judge is the Honorable Gail-Inman Campbell, who will retire at the end of her term in December 2024. The election for District Judge is nonpartisan and will be held during the primary elections in March 2024.
The District Court presides over traffic violations, misdemeanor offenses, violations of ordinances, preliminary hearings on felony matters, and civil matters involving contracts and personal property. The court also has a small claims division which provides a forum for citizens to represent themselves and the cases are tried informally with relaxed rules of evidence.
Wes is a native of Harrison and graduated co-Valedictorian of his high school class. He was a starter on the offensive line for the Harrison Goblins and threw the discus in track. He attended his first two years of college at what was then North Arkansas Community College. He then transferred to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a law degree.
Wes is the Treasurer for the Boone-Newton Bar Association. He is an active member of his church. He is a past board member, president and Lion of the Year for the Harrison Lions Club and remains a club member. He has been a leader with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America and is currently a leader with Trail Life USA. And, he is the volunteer head coach for the Harrison School District’s youth trapshooting team. Wes has been married to his high school sweetheart, Carol, for 29 years and they have two sons: Jacob who recently graduated from North Arkansas College and will be attending College of the Ozarks, and Matthew who is a junior at Harrison High School.
“In District Court, the Judge is the finder of fact and must be able to effectively analyze both sides of a case before applying the law and deciding the outcome. In Circuit Court or District Court, a prosecutor must not only know the case he or she will present, but also must know or at least anticipate the case to be presented by the defense, and therefore must also be able to effectively analyze both sides of a case. This is why I have the skill set needed for District Judge. I have spent many years developing positive working relationships with attorneys, law enforcement officers, public officials, and those who work in the various areas of our court systems. I will continue to support and defend at all times the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas. I would be honored to be your next District Judge.”
