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Sanders Appoints New Secretary of State, Supreme Court Justices

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at 12:00 AM

By Scott McCaulley X @smcckc

Cole Jester (Photo courtesy of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Office)

Arkansas will see a change in a State Office and two additions to the State's Highest Court in 2025.

According to a release from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Cole Jester will serve as Arkansas’ Secretary of State. Jester, who has served as the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Sanders for the past two years, will replace John Thurston, who was elected State Treasurer in November and will be sworn in to his new position in January.

“It is an incredible honor to have been entrusted by Governor Sanders with the role of Secretary of State.  I am deeply thankful for her leadership and for the opportunity to serve Arkansans in this position.  The people of Arkansas deserve a Secretary of State who will fight for them and for our shared values day in and day out, and I will fulfill that sacred responsibility.  In partnership with the Governor, we will work to ensure Arkansas is the greatest state in the nation through election security, public safety, and efficient service to Arkansans,” said Cole Jester in the release. 

In another announcement, two Supreme Court appointments are announced.  

Cody Hiland, initially appointed to the High Court in the summer of 2023 after the death of Justice Robin Wynne, will continue to serve now filling the vacancy left by Justice Courtney Hudson who won the election to complete Wynne's term.

The other appointment goes to Arkansas Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni, who will take the seat vacated by Justice Karen Baker who won a run-off election to become the court's next Chief Justice. 

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