# Arkansas voters elect Austin McCollum county judge despite pending assault charges

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/former-gop-lawmaker-elected-judge-in-arkansas-despite-facing-charges-for-beating-spouse-who-he-demanded-become-proverbs-31-wife/
- Published: 2026-11-04T15:53:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T16:23:59+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16264883/republican-elected-judge-arkansas-beating-wife-charges.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Austin McCollum won the Benton County judge election.
- He faces felony charges and denies the allegations.
- His next court date is 1 December.

## Summary

Austin McCollum, a former Republican Arkansas lawmaker facing felony charges over alleged attacks on his wife, has been elected Benton County judge. The result has prompted calls for him not to take office, but he has not been convicted and is currently eligible to take the oath in January.

His wife, Ragen, accused him of punching and choking her and obtained a protection order requiring him to stay at least 1,500 feet away. McCollum pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated assault, domestic battery and false imprisonment; after a second arrest over alleged stalking and breaching the order, he was released on bond with an ankle monitor. The couple have two young children, and his criminal cases are due back in court on 1 December.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.