Jonesboro, Arkansas – A longtime attorney with deep ties to Northeast Arkansas has officially entered the race for circuit judge. Tom Haynes, a Jonesboro-based lawyer with 15 years of legal experience, announced Wednesday that he will be running for a position on the bench in the Second Judicial Circuit Court.
Haynes, who was born and raised in Greene County, shared the news through a formal statement highlighting his legal background and personal connection to the region. A graduate of Paragould High School, Haynes holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Arkansas and earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.
Throughout his career, Haynes has worked in both criminal and civil courts, gaining valuable experience from a variety of roles within Arkansas’s legal system. His previous positions include serving as assistant city attorney for the City of Jonesboro, a deputy prosecuting attorney in Poinsett County, and a part-time public defender in Craighead County. He has also worked as an attorney ad litem in Greene County and as an associate attorney at the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock. Currently, he is a partner at the law firm Snellgrove, Langley, Culpepper, Williams & Mullally.
“As a judge, the most important qualities are fairness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the law,” said Haynes. “I’ve spent my career working to ensure justice is served—both for victims and for the accused—and I will bring the same integrity, reason, and even temperament to the bench.”
Haynes emphasized that his broad legal experience has prepared him to serve as circuit judge. Having worked on cases ranging from minor civil disputes to serious criminal matters, he believes he has developed a balanced perspective that would serve the people of Northeast Arkansas well in the courtroom.
His campaign also highlights his personal commitment to the region. Haynes and his wife, Kassie, who works as an elementary school counselor in the Jonesboro School District, have been married since 2005. They live in Jonesboro with their two daughters, Amelia and Etta. His parents, Tommy and Emma Haynes, are lifelong residents of Greene County.
“My roots in Northeast Arkansas run deep. This region shaped my values, and I have a strong appreciation for both the people who live here and the unique challenges our communities face,” said Haynes. “The people of Northeast Arkansas deserve a judge who not only understands the law but also understands the lives it’s meant to protect. It would be the honor of a lifetime to serve as circuit judge.”
The Second Judicial Circuit covers several counties in Northeast Arkansas and is responsible for hearing a wide range of cases including criminal, civil, probate, and domestic matters. As the race for this judicial seat begins, Haynes said he hopes to earn the trust of the voters by highlighting his dedication to fairness and justice.
Haynes did not announce any specific endorsements with his campaign launch but noted his long-standing relationships with members of the legal and law enforcement communities in the area. He said he is committed to running a campaign focused on integrity, respect for the legal process, and service to the people of Northeast Arkansas.
More information about Tom Haynes’s campaign for circuit judge is expected to be released in the coming months as election season approaches.
