John L. Kearney, currently serving as District Court Judge in Division 2, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, now in his fourth, 4-year term, has announced his candidacy for re-election to that position in the 2024 election.
Judge Kearney was first elected to the position and began serving in January 2009. He is a graduate of A M& N College (now, UAPB) and began his professional career at Townsend Park High School of the Dollarway School District and taught history and social studies there for 6 years. He left that position to become an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but before joining that organization, he opted to enroll at the University of Arkansas School of Law where he graduated with the Juris Doctorate in 1974. He served as administrative aide to Chancellors Dr. Johnny B. Johnson and, later, Dr. Herman B. Smith at UAPB. He subsequently served as administrative aide to Governor David Pryor for some two years.
He has taught as adjunct professor at UAPB and UA-Monticello for a combined forty years.
He is a long-time member and elder of Faith Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he has taught Sunday school, and on occasion has delivered the Sunday congregational message.
He is married to the former Janice Davis and they have five children.
He states that he is humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Pine Bluff, Lincoln and Jefferson counties, and the state of Arkansas, as judge and looks forward to continuing this service.
