Justice who opposed blocking an Arkansas abortion referendum will lead the state Supreme Court

Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The justice who wrote a blistering dissent over an abortion-rights measure being blocked from Arkansas’ ballot has been elected to lead the state Supreme Court. Justice Karen Baker defeated Justice Rhonda Wood Tuesday, becoming the first woman elected to lead the state’s highest court. Baker dissented when the court upheld the state’s decision to not accept petitions for a ballot measure that would have scaled back the state’s abortion ban. Wood wrote the majority opinion. Additionally, all four of Arkansas’ Republican congressmen fended off challenges from Democrats. Voters have also decided to revoke the license issued for a casino in Pope County.