A Baptist pastor and former columnist for BNG was elected county judge for Pulaski County, Ark., Tuesday.
Wendell Griffen, pastor of New Millennium Baptist Church in Little Rock, ran as a Democrat and outpaced Republican Michael Rushin, 65.53% to 34.47%. Griffen is a retired circuit court judge in Arkansas. In Arkansas, the county judge serves as the chief executive officer of county government.
Griffen has been outspoken for decades on social justice issues, including opposition to the death penalty, opposition to proliferation of data centers, support for public education and support for racial justice initiatives.
The incursion of massive data centers became a hot topic in this year’s race, with bipartisan opposition.
“This victory resulted from the help of people across the political, cultural, ethnic and economic diversity of Pulaski County,” he said in a Facebook statement. “Whether you voted for me, supported my opponent, or did not vote, I intend to serve you with fairness, accountability, inclusion and respect. You will receive a fair hearing, including when we disagree.
“I am an African American former trial and appellate judge. A pastor in the faith of the Palestinian Jewish rabbi named Jesus. A United States Army veteran. And a product of the Harrison Chapel and Rosenwald Elementary School community in Pike County. Those experiences taught me to listen, exercise judgment, resist injustice and respect the dignity of every person.”
The challenge now, he said, “is to transform campaign aims into policies that honor and respect our shared life in Pulaski County. Residents deserve a government that listens, explains its decisions and manages public money responsibly. Those are commitments I will bring to this office.