Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced the appointment of Mickey Buchanan of Ashdown as prosecuting attorney for the 9W Judicial District.
Buchanan’s appointment will take effect September 2, 2026, according to the governor’s office. His term is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026.
The 9W Judicial District covers Howard, Little River, Pike and Sevier counties. Buchanan will take over the position previously held by The Honorable Jana Bradford.
The appointment places Buchanan in charge of prosecutorial duties across the four-county judicial district for the remainder of the current term. His appointment comes as the district prepares for the transition following Bradford’s departure from the position.
Buchanan is based in Ashdown, a city in Little River County. His new role will involve serving as prosecuting attorney for the 9W Judicial District beginning in early September.
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The governor’s announcement did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the appointment or outline specific priorities Buchanan will pursue during his time in office.
Because the term is set to end at the close of 2026, Buchanan’s appointment is currently scheduled to last less than four months. During that period, he will serve as the prosecutor for cases handled within the 9W Judicial District.
The position covers four counties in southwest Arkansas, bringing together communities in Howard, Little River, Pike and Sevier counties under the same judicial district.
Sanders announced the appointment as part of her official duties as governor. The appointment formally names Buchanan to the prosecuting attorney position effective September 2.
The transition will mark a change in leadership for the district after Bradford, identified in the announcement as The Honorable Jana Bradford, leaves the position.
For residents and local officials across the four counties, the prosecuting attorney’s office is responsible for handling criminal prosecutions within the district. Buchanan will assume those responsibilities once his appointment becomes effective.
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The governor’s office did not announce any other appointments as part of the statement.
For now, Buchanan’s appointment is set to remain in effect through December 31, 2026. His service as prosecuting attorney for the 9W Judicial District will officially begin September 2, giving the Ashdown resident responsibility for the office through the end of the stated term.
