Jones to run as Democrat for St. Francis County Judge
St. Francis County Assessor, Craig Jones announces his candidacy for the office of St. Francis County Judge in the May 24 Democratic Primary.
Jones, who is currently the St. Francis County Assessor, will not seek a 10th term in this position.
Jones graduated in the class of 1984 from Forrest City High School and is a lifelong resident of St. Francis County. Jones is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Forrest City and is a founding member of the St. Francis County Museum.
Jones began his employment in the SFC Assessor’s Office in 1993. He ran for the position in 2000 after the unexpected and sudden passing of SFC Assessor Edgar Borden. Jones was elected St. Francis County Assessor in May of 2000 and took office in January 2001.
As assessor, Jones contracted and has overseen four countywide reappraisals. During his tenure as assessor, Jones said the assessor’s office never failed a state administered ratio audit. Jones also contracted a countywide mapping project that he said has greatly improved the way that property is located and identified in St. Francis County. “This map will benefit taxpayers of the county for years to come,” said Jones.
During his time as assessor, Jones submitted over 20 budgets to the county’s Quorum Court, with each budget’s appropriation being over $250,000. Jones has also never been opposed in an election.
“Having started as an employee in the assessor’s office and working my way up to an elected official gives me a unique perspective of how county government works,” said Jones. “It has allowed me to see things from both sides, as an employee and as an elected official, and I believe these different perspectives will allow me better govern as St. Francis County Judge.”
Jones continued, “Over the last 20 years, as assessor, I can honestly say that I have tried to do my best. All the good things I have accomplished in my tenure as assessor could not and would not be possible without the incredible staff that I have had the honor to work with over the years. It has been a joy and a blessing to have worked alongside such professionals, and I will always owe each of them a debt of gratitude for the work that they have done.
(Continued from Page 1) “My experience and ability to work with the St. Francis County Quorum Court will help me immensely as county judge,” said Jones. “I can sit up here and tell you all the great things I want to do as judge but if I cannot convince the Quorum Court that my ideas and plans are viable, my plans will go nowhere. Any project accomplished by the assessor’s office, during my tenure, started with the Quorum Court, and I would like to thank each Justice who has listened to my plans and made my ideas a reality over the past 20 years. I look forward to their continued cooperation and support if elected county judge.”
“I know that the success of any judge in the state of Arkansas starts with the county road department,” continued Jones. “I am looking forward to working with the road department and the solid waste department, and I promise to take their ideas, their thoughts and their suggestions seriously. I will make sure they continue to have the resources they need to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.”
Jones reflected on his service as an elected official.
“I have always been humbled to be a public servant, and I assure you, as St. Francis County Judge, that I will continue to know who I work for, the taxpayer,” he said. “I promise that I will continue to listen to your concerns, advise you, and when possible, use the contacts that I have made to assist you and help you whenever I can.
“I have the experience to do the work, the common sense to do the job, and I look forward to continuing the work I have started,” Jones added. “The great thing about an election is you get to visit with the voters, you get to listen to their ideas and concerns. As your assessor over the past 20 years, I have met people that I would never have known and have made friends that will last a lifetime.
“If I happen to fall short in my endeavor to become your next county judge, I know that I am truly blessed to have been able to serve the friendliest and most caring constituency in the state of Arkansas,” Jones added. “I sincerely thank the voters of this great county for the trust they have instilled in me through these years.”
Jones concluded, “I would like to sincerely ask for your prayers, your help, your consideration, and for your vote in the upcoming election. I would be honored to be your next St. Francis County Judge.”