Rogers lawyer announces run for circuit judgeship

BENTONVILLE — Tony Noblin, a lawyer from Rogers, announced he’ll be a candidate for circuit judge for the 19th Judicial District West.

Noblin, 48, is seeking the Division 7 position, which the Arkansas Legislature created for Benton County during the 2019 regular session.

Noblin said his combined 25 years in military service, law enforcement and as a lawyer have taught him the importance of justice.

“In the U.S. Air Force, I defended the idea that is expressed in the last three words of the Pledge of Allegiance — justice for all,” Noblin said. “As a Rogers police officer, I was a bootson-the-ground advocate for justice in our local communities. Today, as an attorney, I represent my clients with integrity to fight for justice on their behalf,” he said. He’s with the Noblin Law Firm.

Noblin worked as a federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer before becoming a lawyer.

Steve Lowry, a retired resident agent in charge for the DEA, supports Noblin’s candidacy.

“I’ve been asked what qualifies Tony to be your next Benton County circuit judge,” Lowry said. “A standard answer would be that a judge must know the law and how to apply it to facts established in a trial or review. However, there are other qualifications. A good judge must have work experience to draw upon. He must be honest, fair and wise.”

Noblin serves on the Rogers Planning Commission.

He’s a graduate of the University of Arkansas’ School of Law, John Brown University and Northwest Arkansas Community College.

Bentonville lawyer Christine Horwart has announced her candidacy for the position.

Elections in Arkansas for circuit judges are nonpartisan. The 2020 election will be March 3. Runoffs will be on the general election ballot in November.

Circuit judges serve sixyear terms and are paid $168,096 a year.