Benton County, Arkansas

Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13

2 candidates are tracked for Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John Matar and Meleah Gretzmier. Candidate information follows official Benton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

This seat is currently held by Kurt Moore. John Matar received 801 votes (56%) to Kevin Osnes's 632 (44%) in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary, per the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Matar faces Democrat Meleah Gretzmier in November 2026.

What this office does

Justice of the peace (quorum court member). In Arkansas, justices of the peace are the members of the quorum court, the county's legislative body. They adopt the county budget, set the county property tax rate, pass county ordinances and fill certain vacancies. Each justice represents one district, and the county judge presides over the court. This is not a court that hears cases.

Arkansas › Benton County › Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13

John Matar

Republican

Top priorities

Fiscal discipline and budget management experience
Prioritizing public safety and financial accountability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

John Matar is a combat veteran of the U.S. Army who enlisted in 2008 as an infantryman and deployed along the Pakistan border during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2010 to 2011, per his campaign site. He later worked with the Springdale Police Department from 2016 to 2018 and earned a criminal justice degree from Southern Arkansas Tech, per his campaign site. In 2018 he launched the J.B. Hunt Government Services branch, connecting logistics expertise with public-sector needs, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Meleah Gretzmier

Democratic

Biography

Meleah Gretzmier appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Meleah Gretzmier.

Next on your ballotBenton County Justice of the Peace, District 14

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13 in 2026?

When is the Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 13 election in Arkansas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Arkansas are on the Arkansas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Benton County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Benton County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Arkansas election office, or see the full Benton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Benton County ballot

36 tracked races in Benton County, Arkansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Benton County Justice of the Peace, District 15 Arkansas Senate District 32 Arkansas Senate District 35 See all 36 Benton County races

Candidate profiles

John Matar, full profile Meleah Gretzmier, full profile Official Arkansas election office