Last-minute race develops for Supreme Court

[LiberalArkie]

There will be a race for both open seats on the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Minutes before today's 3 p.m. filing deadline, Little Rock lawyer Clark Mason filed for the Position 5 seat also being sought by Shawn Womack of Mountain Home. They present a sharp choice. Mason, who grew up in El Dorado, is a trial lawyer and has written on the subject of personal injury cases. He's been an supporter of the advocacy group for nursing home patients. Womack has long carried the tort reform agenda for business interests in Arkansas — aiming to limit the ability to seek damages in court, particularly against nursing homes. Womack, a Republican senator, also has staunchly conservative, including anti-gay, social views.

Mason's arrival prompted another potential candidate, Brooke Ware, to step back from the filing table. Ware is a law clerk for Judge Mike Reif. She has been interested in making a judicial race and was prepared to make this one until Mason appeared. He brings financial resources of his own.

The seat is open because of the retirement of Paul Danielson.


Read More: http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/11/09/last-minute-race-develops-for-supreme-court