Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Friday that state Sen. Ben Gilmore (R–District 1) will join his office as a senior advisor, a move that will require Gilmore to resign his seat in the Arkansas Senate.
Gilmore is expected to begin his new role on July 1, the first day of the state’s fiscal year. His departure will create a vacancy in Senate District 1, which covers Ashley, Bradley, Chicot and Cleveland counties, along with portions of Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.
State officials indicated a special election will be held to fill the remainder of Gilmore’s term, though no date has been set.
Gilmore has served in the Arkansas Senate since January 2021 and was reelected twice. Prior to his legislative service, he worked as Griffin’s deputy chief of staff and communications director during Griffin’s tenure as lieutenant governor from 2015 to 2023.
In announcing the hire, Griffin described Gilmore as a long-time public servant with experience in sponsoring legislation related to public safety, tax policy and other state priorities. Gilmore said he looks forward to continuing his public service in the attorney general’s office.
Alongside Gilmore’s appointment, Griffin also announced multiple staffing changes within the Attorney General’s Office. Chief Deputy Ryan Owsley will leave the office July 31. General Counsel Zach Mayo is being promoted to chief deputy, while Deputy General Counsel Kevin Lee will become general counsel.
Additional leadership changes include the retirement of Deputy Attorney General Darnisa Johnson after 24 years leading the Criminal Division, and the retirement of Deputy Attorney General Tammera Harrelson, who has overseen the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit since 2023. Vada Berger, a long-time member of the Criminal Division, will succeed Johnson, while Leigh Patterson will take over Harrelson’s role within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The office said the transitions and promotions are part of broader staffing updates scheduled to take effect throughout July.
