Wondering … Governor Sanders’ JP Appointment

Most politically aware observers would agree that Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a conservative Republican, even a hard-right sort of governor.

So, when the Faulkner County Republican-super-majority Quorum Court lost one of its key JPs this year, Governor Sanders left many folks scratching their heads when she appointed a relatively unknown Greenbrier resident to the vacant spot.

After the May 31 death of JP Jerry Boyer of District 12 (also the immediate past Chairman of the Faulkner County Republicans), Sanders appointed Greenbrier resident Eden Roberts to finish that term on the Quorum Court. Roberts was sworn in on July 20.

We heard that Republican County Judge Allen Dodson was looking to have his pick — the son of his County Administrator, former JP Randy Higgins — named to the appointed position in County government, and the county Republican party chimed in to Sanders with their choice as well.

Because Boyer was one of seven Republican JPs that Dodson appointed to serve on two key Quorum Court committees, Roberts now plays a big role as she fulfills the remainder of Boyer’s term through 2024.

Why did the Governor appoint Roberts, who is not generally known among local Republicans nor a member of the Faulkner County Republican party?

A new face to most local politicos, Roberts’ street address puts her in District 12, but FCR has been provided voter registration records that reflect District 2. Those same voter records also show that Roberts has cast a ballot only once in the past 18 years, and that was in the 2020 general election. She is not a member of the Republican party.

Now we’re wondering, too — what was Governor Sanders thinking when she made this appointment?