District Includes All of Cleveland County; Two GOP Candidates Announce Bids
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Friday that District 1 State Senator Ben Gilmore of Crossett has joined his staff as senior advisor.
Gilmore’s district includes all of Cleveland County and roughly the southeast corner of Arkansas, including all of Ashley, Bradley, Drew counties and portions of Chicot, Desha, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.
As of Tuesday, two candidates had announced their intentions to seek the office and fill Gilmore’s unexpired term: Harrell Wilson of the Staves community and Laura “Missy” Wardlaw of the Johnsville community in Bradley County.
Gilmore was elected to a four-year term in 2024. His current term will expire in January 2029.
“I am pleased to announce that State Senator Ben Gilmore will join my office as Senior Advisor on July 1. Gilmore will resign from the Arkansas Senate and will continue to serve the state in this new role as a key part of my senior staff,” Griffin announced through a statement released Friday.
“Ben is a trusted friend and steadfast public servant. For the past five and a half years, he has served the constituents of southeast Arkansas in Senate District 1 with distinction and has sponsored key legislation that has made Arkansans safer, eased the tax burden on small businesses, and helped establish Arkansas as the most pro-life state in the country. He previously served as my Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director when I was Lieutenant Governor.
“Ben’s extensive experience dealing with numerous public policy issues at the state and federal level gives him unique insight and will be a force multiplier for the office. His good counsel as my Senior Advisor will be invaluable, and I am proud to add him to the team.
Gilmore’s addition is one of several changes in the Attorney General’s office. Griffin also announced that Chief Deputy Ryan Owsley is leaving the office on July 31 while General Counsel Zach Mayo is being promoted to Chief Deputy, and Deputy General Counsel Kevin Lee is …