Body
The Cleveland County Republican Committee has selected Malinda Berry of Calmer as its nominee for District 6 Justice of the Peace in the November general election following the death of longtime Justice Owen Rushing in December 2025. Rushing had already filed for re-election before his passing. He was the only candidate to file for the race. Berry will be unopposed in the upcoming general election. Her husband, Pat Berry, was appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to complete Rushing’s term but cannot run due to state law. A Rison native, Malinda Berry returned to Cleveland County after a real estate career in Arizona and is active in local business, church and community organizations.