Joseph Wood

Joseph Wood

Republican Party of Arkansas Chair

Tenure

Present officeholder

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 24, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Iowa State University, 1987

Graduate

Ecclesia College, 2016

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Non Denominational

Profession

County judge

Contact

Campaign website

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Joseph Wood is an officeholder of the Republican Party of Arkansas Chair.

Wood (Republican Party) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. He lost in the Republican primary on May 24, 2022.

Wood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

On August 19, 2023, Arkansas Republican Party leadership elected Wood to serve as the chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party.

Biography

Joseph Wood was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1987 and a graduate degree from Ecclesia College in 2016. Wood's career experience includes working as a county judge and the Arkansas deputy secretary of state.

Elections

2022

See also: Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

Leslie Rutledge defeated Kelly Krout and Frank Gilbert in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Leslie Rutledge (R)	64.2	577,316
		Kelly Krout (D)	32.1	288,631
		Frank Gilbert (L)	3.7	33,163

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 899,110
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kelly Krout advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Drew Pritt (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Leslie Rutledge	54.0	183,888
		Jason Rapert	14.7	50,063
		Greg Bledsoe	9.9	33,722
		Joseph Wood	8.6	29,277
		Doyle Webb	6.8	23,188
		Chris Bequette	6.0	20,411

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 340,549
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

Frank Gilbert advanced from the Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas on February 20, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Frank Gilbert (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Joseph Wood completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wood's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Abandoned at birth, I was found in the streets of Chicago as a baby one cold night. Placed in foster care I would eventually be adopted at 10 years old as I grew up in the tough neighborhoods of Chicago. From this humble beginning, I am now seeking the Office Lieutenant Governor.

In 2016, I became first elected black county judge in the State of Arkansas history. Recognized for leadership in 2018, 2019 and again 2020 as being #1 of all 75 counties in Arkansas in fiscal , administrative and political transparency. I have held key positions in government, corporate, and education to include County Judge, Deputy Secretary of State, Bank Examiner and International Recruitment

•Bachelor Business Admin-Iowa State University •Master in Christian Leadership-Ecclesia College • Chairman, National Association of Counties Community, Economic & Workforce Development •Henry Toll Fellow Class 2016 •Professional Development Academy Graduate •State Board of Director – THE CALL •Congressional Coalition on Adoption – Angels in Adoption honoree 2017 •St. Vincent's Orphan (Catholic Charities of Chicago)

Married 29 years, three daughters, two son-in-law, and three grandchildren that call me GrandpaDaddy.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Vision for Arkansas: Better leaders, making Better decisions, for a Better Arkansas! An exemplary state in the country in leadership and opportunity for all Arkansans.
• Fighting for what’s Possible in Arkansas! I am on the frontline everyday making decisions for 250,000 Arkansans for a better County and leading our State.
• Experience as County Judge is the role most like a Governor: casting a vision and executing, managing budgets, crisis, emergency services, infrastructure, veteran services, detention facilities, leading people and projects, managing budgets , improving services to taxpayers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic Growth (education, jobs and taxes)

Veteran Care
Foster Care & Adoption

Taxes

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Lieutenant Governor plays a critical role in our state government. They preside over the state legislature Senate body while also ready in the event a governor is incapacitated, dies, resigns or removed from office. The unique qualities of the Lieutenant Governor Office is it serves and function in the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch of government.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

A couple of folks I look up to my adopted mother Loretta and Statesman Frederick Douglass. Both have passed but left an imprint on my life. The example my mother demonstrated was to be engaged in family and community. My parents got me from an orphanage as a foster child. Adopted at 10 years old my mother started giving me responsibilities. She was a integral part of the church and the community. As the oldest child she got me very involved in our church and community too. She shared I should always be engaged where you live to make an impact and help drive improvement for your family those who live in your neighborhood. Growing up in the tough neighborhood of Jeffery Manor was difficult but it was the involvement in the church and community that made a difference. I stand on her shoulders.

Frederick Douglass lived the words he shared a speech that "if there is no struggle, there is no progress." He believed as he lived. Freed from slavery, self-taught to read and eventually an orator, successful business owner and counsel to Pres. Abraham Lincoln. I admire Frederick Douglass journey, his faith walk, and his contributions to the world. I stand on his shoulders too.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Free to Choose - Milton Friedman

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A person of strong character, committed to conservative principles. I believe it is important to listen and be measured in responding as all information and data is being weighed and considered. To promote education and economic freedoms where more pore is closest to the people to make decisions best for them and their families.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Proven Leader in both private and public sector. Ability to share a vision, bring teams together and then empower managers and lead. I am a people person and communicator and work with a servant's focus.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Core responsibilities would be to have an effective and efficient Senate. Presiding over the business of the people in a very judicious manner is of high importance. Being a champion for the state to help advance the interests of the state whether economic development or opportunity in the state.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Places and people are better because of the my time leading and serving. My mission is to have better leaders, making better decisions, resulting in better results/services. I wish to leave a legacy of leaders operating and growing to make transformative changes in how they lead and serve families, communities, our state and country.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Nobel Peace Prize for Egypt's Anwar Sadat and Israel's Menachem Begin. It was a powerful moment in time as a young person trying to understand the middle east. Later the treaty between the two would be signed yet a short year later Pres. Sadat would be assassinated. I was 14 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Camp Counselor for youth in Chicago. It was a summer job that i held for 2 summers before going to college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Greatest Miracle in the World- By Og Mandino

Og Mandino is on of my favorite authors. This particular book tells the story of the journey and relationship of Mandino and a friend/mentor Simon Potter (Ragpicker.) The term ragpicker is commonly known for those who collects rags, papers, plastics in waste and refuse for selling. During the depression or in very poor countries. However this Ragpicker took the trash of people's lives (hurts/ disappointments / grief etc.) The Ragpicker shares how people can be better after encounter/engaging you.
I was a young college kid when I read it and wanted to be a Ragpicker and live out those lessons. Simply to :
1. Count your blessings
2. Know I am uniquely and wonderfully made
3. Stay on your journey always- go the extra mile
4. You have choices- be wise and make good choices

Finally- love yourself, love others and love God who created you so you can do #1-4

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

James Bond -Agent 007

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Daddy's Home by Travis Greene

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I struggle with trying to demonstrate my gratefulness to the folks that abandoned me in the streets in Chicago as an infant. Not knowing the circumstance , I am here today because they gave me life. I don't know their names, who they are or where they might be- but wanting to say thank you. I have been blessed and t is what i have wrestled with over the years.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

I believe the most important responsibility of the Lieutenant Governor is to stand for the rights, freedoms of the people and those laws that will support these rights and freedoms. Delivering results while inspiring hope and casting vision for our State is what i believe is the expectation of the Lieutenant Governor. Keeping the oath of office to uphold the United States Constitution and the Arkansas State Constitution.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

I believe the Lieutenant Governor has the ability to help drive laws or bills like the Senators. As an advocate to drive a legislative initiatives. They can be asked to sit on the governors cabinet or chair a taskforce. The governor could also seek counsel regarding their administration/agencies or their policies. Nothing prohibits the Lieutenant Governor from promoting the state and sharing their vision and I believe should know this is possible.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

While previous experience in government or politics is not necessary - i believe the most effective Lieutenant Governor and most beneficial to the office and to the people in the state will likely be the person who has demonstrated competency and results in very similar roles.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Executive leadership experience (sets vision, empowers managers, drives efficiency and accountability)Interpersonal Skills, Communicator, Collaborator, and Commitment to serve with high expectations and result driven) Managing budgets an people. A good steward and representative of the state,

Tell us your favorite joke.

What did TennE See? What Arkan Saw!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas

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