FAYETTEVILLE -- Mark N. Scalise has announced he's running for Washington County District judge, 4th Division.
"I am passionate about serving my community and working to make a positive impact for the greater good of Washington County," Scalise said in his announcement. "I have thought and prayed for a long time about what path to take, and the answer keeps pointing me towards the office of district judge."
Scalise, an attorney for 27 years in Washington County and Philadelphia, is a former assistant prosecutor in Washington and Madison counties.
Private practice areas include criminal, civil and intellectual property law. Scalise is a 1992 graduate of the University of Arkansas' School of Law and has a mechanical engineering degree. Scalise said he also has worked in various management and business development roles for companies such as Ingersoll-Rand, General Electric and J.B. Hunt Transport.
"As district court judge, I will bring common sense, honesty, integrity and compassion to the office and the decisions I make. I will treat everyone equally and fairly, and be held accountable to the people of Washington County," Scalise said.
Scalise of Fayetteville said he'll use his business experience to manage the docket and courtroom to move cases along and get litigants cases resolved as quickly as possible.
"We need to hold guilty criminals accountable, especially those who are habitual offenders. I will work tirelessly with law enforcement to focus on solving the drunken driving, texting driving and drug abuse problems in our community," Scalise said.
Scalise is the only announced candidate for the position, which handles cases in Fayetteville. William Storey currently holds the position. He hasn't said if he plans to seek re-election.
The nonpartisan judicial election is March 3.
District judges are paid $147,000 a year.
District Courts have jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanors offenses, violations of state law and local ordinances, preliminary felony matters, and civil matters involving contracts, damage to personal property and recovery of personal property where the amount in controversy doesn't exceed $25,000.
NW News on 10/16/2019