LITTLE ROCK— An Arkansas Supreme Court justice who was targeted by outside groups in her failed bid to lead the court two years ago plans to seek re-election this year.
Campaign Adviser Keith Emis said Monday that Justice Courtney Goodson intends to run in the May judicial election for her Supreme Court seat. Emis said the justice wasn't available for an interview about her plans.
Later Monday, David Sterling, the top attorney at the Department of Human Services, said he would run against Goodson. Sterling added he would make a formal announcement at a later date.
Goodson was defeated by Dan Kemp in her bid for chief justice in 2016 after outside groups blanketed the state with ads and mailers criticizing her. The groups and candidates for that and another high court seat spent more than $1.3 million on TV advertising.
Goodson's Supreme Court seat is the only one on the high court up for election this year.
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Emis refused to tell an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter whether Goodson would hold a formal announcement or whether she had started to raise money.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter John Moritz contributed to this story.