Austin McCollum Pleads Not Guilty to Felonies

Austin McCollum, a candidate for Benton County judge, entered a plea of not guilty to three felony charges during a court appearance on Tuesday morning.

McCollum, who previously served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, was arrested on August 1. He faces charges of domestic battery, false imprisonment, and aggravated assault of a household or family member. Following his arrest, he resigned from his legislative seat in District 8. An omnibus hearing for the case has been set for December 1, 2026.

In a separate court order issued last month, McCollum is required to have no contact with his wife, who has filed for divorce, for a period of two years. The court also mandated that his visitation with his children be supervised.

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, McCollum remains the only candidate in the race for Benton County judge. This means he could potentially take office if he wins the election. According to local reports, the Republican Party has until September 17 to replace him. However, the Benton County Republican Party stated that there is currently no legal mechanism to remove him from the ballot. Officials noted that he would only leave the race if he were to die, become seriously ill, move out of Benton County, or decide to run for a different position.

McCollum has not released any public comments regarding the charges. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

For local residents planning to vote, the deadline to register is October 5, and early voting is scheduled to begin on October 19.

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