Domestic violence allegations roil judge race
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State Rep. and Benton County judge candidate Austin McCollum (R-Bentonville) faced mounting calls Monday to resign from office and withdraw from the judicial race after his weekend arrest.
The big picture: The arrest has thrown one of Northwest Arkansas' most high-profile local races into uncertainty because McCollum is the only candidate on the November ballot. County judges in Arkansas are the chief executives over county governments.
Catch up quick: McCollum, 35, was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault of a family or household member, first-degree false imprisonment and misdemeanor domestic battery, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
- Prosecutors had not yet filed formal charges as of Monday afternoon, Benton County spokesperson Melody Kwok told Axios.
- According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Benton County circuit court, McCollum is accused of preventing his wife, Ragen McCollum, from leaving a bedroom, restricting her ability to breathe, punching her in the face and repeatedly slamming her head against the ground.
- Investigators also wrote in the affidavit that McCollum showed injuries to his knuckles and had blood on his arms and legs consistent with a physical altercation.
- He was released on Sunday after posting a $10,000 bond, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
McCollum did not respond to Axios' request for comment and has not said whether he plans to resign or drop out of the race.
Reality check: He cannot withdraw from the race so easily.
- A nomination is only considered vacant in cases of death, serious illness, filing for another office or the candidate moving out of the area from which they were elected as the party's nominee, Secretary of State spokesperson Samantha Boyd confirmed to Axios. Only in those cases can a political party fill a vacancy in nomination.
Yes, but: People convicted of a felony generally cannot hold public office under Arkansas law.
Flashback: In March, McCollum defeated Benton County Justice of the Peace Carrie Perrien Smith in the Republican primary with 64% of the vote. No Democrats or independent candidates filed.
Zoom out: House Speaker Rep. Brian Evans (R-Cabot) said on social media he was removing McCollum from all House leadership positions and called on him to resign.
- McCollum's term in the House expires in January.
What they're saying: The allegations prompted widespread calls from Republican leaders for McCollum to resign from the Legislature and end his county judge campaign.
- "The allegations against Representative McCollum are appalling, and I'm praying for his wife and children. I absolutely condemn violence of any form, and if these credible, sickening allegations are accurate, I call on him to immediately resign his office and drop out of the race for county judge," Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. Sanders had previously endorsed McCollum in the Republican primary for judge.
- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, Attorney General Tim Griffin, state Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs), Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and Benton County Judge Barry Moehring expressed similar sentiments.
What's next: McCollum's arraignment is set for Sept. 8, Kwok told Axios.