The Ballot Brief
Lonoke County, Arkansas

Lonoke County Judge

2 candidates are tracked for Lonoke County Judge on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mike Verkler and Toby Troutman. Candidate information follows official Lonoke County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Republican Mike Verkler won over fellow Republican Mickey D. "Stubby" Stumbaugh 5,126 votes (50.56%) to 5,017 (49.44%) in the March 3, 2026 primary for the open seat, per the Lonoke County Election Commission's official canvass. Incumbent Judge Doug Erwin did not seek re-election, per The Arkansas Leader. Independent candidate Toby Troutman's eligibility was challenged in court by the county prosecuting attorney on residency grounds; a judge ruled September 3, 2026 that Troutman is a Lonoke County resident and eligible to run, confirming his place on the November ballot, per Troutman's campaign site.

What this office does

County judge (county executive). In Texas and a few other states the county judge is the county's chief executive and presides over the commissioners court, the county's governing board. The office prepares the budget, runs county administration and emergency management and, in smaller counties, still hears some probate and misdemeanor matters. It is an administrative office more than a courtroom one.

This race. Every voter in Lonoke County votes on this seat.

Arkansas › Lonoke County › Lonoke County Judge

Mike Verkler

Republican

Biography

Verkler, a Woodlawn community resident, is an administrator to outgoing Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin, per The Arkansas Leader. He won the Republican primary in the open county judge seat. No campaign website was found as of September 9, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mike Verkler.

Toby Troutman

Independent

Top priorities
  • Strengthening county roads
  • Transparent government and practical solutions

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Troutman is running as an independent for Lonoke County Judge. A residency challenge to his candidacy filed by the county prosecuting attorney was rejected by a judge on September 3, 2026, confirming his spot on the November ballot, per his campaign site.

Next on your ballotLonoke County Sheriff

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Lonoke County Judge in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Lonoke County Judge on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mike Verkler and Toby Troutman. Candidate information follows official Lonoke County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Lonoke County Judge 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 Lonoke 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 Lonoke County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Lonoke County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Lonoke County Circuit ClerkLonoke County ClerkLonoke County AssessorSee all 24 Lonoke County races
Candidate profiles
Mike Verkler, full profileToby Troutman, full profileOfficial Arkansas election office