Lafayette Woods Jr. has won the Democratic primary for Jefferson County Sheriff, defeating challenger Mark Cannon 4,882 votes to 2,547, according to unofficial results.
However, a court hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday before Judge Randall Wright could potentially affect Woods’ status on the 2026 ballot.
Cannon, a Jefferson County resident and social media influencer, is asking the court to declare Woods constitutionally ineligible to seek reelection. Cannon alleges Woods has a prior misdemeanor theft conviction that qualifies as an “infamous crime” under Article 5, Section 9 of the Arkansas Constitution, which prohibits individuals convicted of infamous crimes from holding public office.
Woods is named as a respondent both individually and in his official capacity as sheriff. Other respondents include the Jefferson County Board of Election Commissioners, Jefferson County Clerk Shawndra Taggart, Arkansas Democratic Party Chair Col. Marcus Jones and Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair Theodis Davis.
Cannon is seeking a writ of mandamus along with declaratory and injunctive relief, asking the court to order election officials to remove Woods’ name from the ballot. If ballots have already been printed, Cannon is requesting that the court prohibit the counting or certification of any votes cast for Woods.
Among the new filings are responses opposing Woods’ motion for summary judgment and motion for sanctions, as well as affidavits from two individuals who state they have knowledge of Woods’ alleged prior conviction.
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson submitted an affidavit stating that while serving as chief deputy sheriff in 2004, he reviewed Woods’ criminal background report during the hiring process. Robinson said the report reflected a misdemeanor theft conviction. He also stated he was not aware at the time that a misdemeanor theft conviction could be disqualifying for elected office.
A second affidavit from Dexter Holmes, a former Pine Bluff police officer, states he cited Woods for theft in either 1997 or 1998 after observing him shoplift a rifle scope from Walmart. Holmes said Woods was formally charged with theft of property but was uncertain whether the charge resulted in a misdemeanor or felony conviction.
Woods has denied the allegations and previously filed motions to dismiss and for summary judgment.
In the newly filed response, Cannon argues the case is a special statutory mandamus proceeding and not governed by the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, disputing Woods’ reliance on procedural rules related to requests for admission and summary judgment.
Cannon is also asking the court to conduct an in camera review of any sealed criminal records to determine whether a disqualifying conviction exists.
The Arkansas Supreme Court has previously ruled that misdemeanor theft qualifies as an “infamous crime” under the state constitution.
While Woods secured the Democratic nomination with 4,882 votes compared to Cannon’s 2,547, the outcome of Friday’s hearing could have significant implications for the 2026 Jefferson County sheriff’s race.
