Benton County judge urges McCollum to not take office
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Benton County Judge Barry Moehring speaks to reporters. Photo: Alex Golden/Axios
Benton County Judge Barry Moehring urged presumed judge-elect and former state Rep. Austin McCollum during a press conference Wednesday to not take office in January amid McCollum's ongoing legal battles.
Why it matters: Moehring stressed that while McCollum has not been convicted of a crime, he does not have the trust and confidence of the public, county employees or elected officials given the domestic violence allegations and criminal charges against him.
- "I think he would have a difficult time governing," he said.
Catch up quick: McCollum on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to three felonies, including aggravated assault on a family or household member, first-degree false imprisonment and second-degree battering during his arraignment. His next court appearance is set for Dec. 1.
- McCollum, who won the Republican nomination in March, is the only candidate on the Nov. 3 ballot. No Democrats or independents filed. While state law does not allow him to simply drop out of the race, he does not have to take office. He will be removed from office if convicted of a felony, per state law. Voters cannot recall a county judge.
- McCollum resigned from his House seat days after his Aug. 1 arrest.
State of play: If McCollum does not take office, Moehring is willing to serve until the end of February to give the quorum court time to thoroughly consider whom to appoint to the position while maintaining stability, he said.
- Moehring's term ends at the end of the year. He has served as county judge since 2017 and did not seek reelection.
Zoom in: Moehring has concerns about day-to-day operations being affected if McCollum takes office, he told Axios during the press conference.
- Benton County has about 800 employees, and roughly 240 of them report directly to the county judge.
- "I think that they would be looking for a leader who provides them with some stability, some continuity and a vision, a direction. I have tried to do that in 10 years, and I can't imagine doing that if I had a felony conviction hanging over my head," he said.
The bottom line: McCollum can still be the county judge despite widespread calls for him to step aside.
- Moehring has not spoken with McCollum since his arrest and is not aware of any indication from McCollum to the county about whether he plans to take office, he told Axios during the press conference.
- McCollum did not respond to Axios' request for comment Wednesday afternoon.