LITTLE ROCK, Ark — An Arkansas judge says he's running for a seat on the state's Supreme Court, setting up another potentially expensive and heated race in a state that has drawn heavy involvement from outside conservative groups.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Morgan "Chip" Welch on Monday announced he was running for the seat currently held by Justice Jo Hart in next year's election. Hart, who has served on the court since 2013, has not said whether she's seeking re-election next year.
Arkansas' nonpartisan Supreme Court races in recent years have drawn the focus of outside conservative groups that have spent millions on TV ads and attack mailers. A state justice won re-election last year after two conservative groups spent nearly $2.5 million trying to unseat her.