Tim Shepard (Washington County County Judge, Arkansas, candidate 2026)
Tim Shepard (Republican Party) is running for election to the Washington County County Judge. Shepard is on the ballot in the Republican primary runoff on March 31, 2026. Shepard was on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.[source]
Shepard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Tim Shepard provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on January 29, 2026:
- High school: West Fork
- Graduate: University of Arkansas, 2012
- Bachelor's: John Brown University
- Profession: Law Enforcement
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
Republican primary runoff
Republican primary runoff for Washington County County Judge
Incumbent Patrick Deakins (R) and Tim Shepard (R) are running in the Republican primary runoff for Washington County County Judge on March 31, 2026.
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| Patrick Deakins | ||
Tim Shepard  | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Washington County County Judge
Dana D. Deree (D) ran in the Democratic primary for Washington County County Judge on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Dana D. Deree | |
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| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for Washington County County Judge
Incumbent Patrick Deakins (R), Mark Scalise (R), and Tim Shepard (R) ran in the Republican primary for Washington County County Judge on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Patrick Deakins | ||
| Mark Scalise | ||
| Tim Shepard | ||
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| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Shepard received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
- State Sen. Clint Penzo (R)
- Fayetteville Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 10
- Conduit Freedom Caucus 75
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tim Shepard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shepard's responses.
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My career has focused on problem-solving, accountability, and building systems that work under pressure. I have managed budgets, personnel, policy development, and interagency partnerships, including work with courts, prosecutors, public defenders, mental health providers, and state and federal agencies. I also helped develop collaborative crisis response efforts that pair law enforcement with social services to better address repeat, non-violent calls for service.
I was raised in Washington County and have family roots throughout the area. I live here, I am raising my daughter here, and my reputation is shaped by the same community I am asking to serve. I am running for Washington County Judge because the role requires practical executive judgment, fiscal discipline, and the ability to work across departments to deliver results for both rural and urban residents.- Accountable County Government I am running to bring competent, accountable management to Washington County government. The County Judge oversees daily operations, budgets, and major projects, and that work requires practical executive experience. As a police captain responsible for administrative services, I have managed personnel, budgets, procurement, and policy across complex organizations. My focus is on clear expectations, responsible spending, and transparent decision-making so county government works predictably and earns public trust.
- Infrastructure and Growth Washington County’s growth requires disciplined planning, not short-term fixes. Roads and infrastructure should be prioritized based on need, durability, and long-term cost. I support using both in-house resources and private contractors when it makes financial sense, while coordinating closely with cities and the state. Rural and unincorporated areas deserve the same attention as urban centers, and infrastructure investments should support growth without wasting taxpayer dollars.
- Public Safety and System Coordination Public safety depends on how well law enforcement, courts, jails, and social services work together. My career has focused on improving coordination across these systems to reduce delays, manage jail capacity responsibly, and address non-violent issues earlier when possible. As County Judge, I would prioritize strong working relationships among agencies and cities so county government is a reliable partner that improves safety and stability for the community.
Chief Mike Reynolds
Assessor Russell Hill
JP Brad Bruns
Former JP & Springdale Councilman Rex Bailey
Former County Judge Marilyn Edwards
Springdale City Councilman Brian Powell
Former US Marshal Greg Tabor
Tim Stanley
Randy Laney
Pastor Brian Disney
Pastor Patrick Briney
Teddy Cardwell
WH Taylor
Joe Maynard
HL Goodwin
Todd Hertzberg
John Latour
Brenda Vassaur-Taylor
Former JP Sean Simmons
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.
Campaign website
Shepard's campaign website stated the following:
Build Infrastructure That Lasts
Washington County residents are frustrated with the condition of roads and the quality of repairs. I will advocate for construction standards that prioritize long-term durability over short-term fixes. That includes qualified oversight, better planning, and a serious commitment to doing the job right the first time.
We need to stop wasting resources on work that does not hold up. Our roads should reflect the pride we take in this county and the responsibility we owe to future generations.
Restore Trust, Transparency, and Professionalism
Washington County government should be something residents can believe in and employees can be proud of. I believe in radical transparency when it comes to operations, contracts, and public resources. People deserve to know how decisions are made, how money is spent, and who is accountable. That kind of openness is not just a promise; it is a commitment. It is a system that requires construction and ongoing maintenance.
Internally, I will work to restore professionalism and respect across every department. County employees should not have to navigate double standards or face political pressure in order to do their jobs effectively. They should be able to trust that management will do what is right, not just what is convenient. I have spent my career building policies that are fair, consistent, and designed to support both accountability and morale. That is the kind of approach I will bring to Washington County.
Defending Property Rights - A Voice for Rural Washington County
I grew up in the hills of southern Washington County near Devil’s Den State Park, on land that has been in my family for generations. I know what rural families value and what it feels like when their government ignores them.
I will stand up for rural property owners. That means fighting for fair zoning, stopping overreach, and ensuring that county policies reflect how people live and work in the county. I will push for greater transparency in planning decisions and give landowners a genuine voice before rules are changed.
One-size-fits-all zoning does not work in the rural parts of this county. I will ensure that landowners are respected, not sidelined, and that our way of life is protected for future generations.
Support Public Safety with Real-World Leadership
With nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement, I understand what public safety truly requires, not just in theory, but in practice. I’ve led major divisions, supervised internal investigations, managed budgets, and coordinated with state and federal partners. I will support law enforcement, fire, EMS, and courts with the tools they need to serve effectively, especially in rural areas where coordination and resource planning are most crucial.
Lead Through Collaboration
I will respect the independence of other elected officials and departments while promoting open communication and mutual accountability. My role as County Judge will involve coordinating, facilitating, and bringing people together to build consensus around shared priorities, ensuring that projects move forward. I will work to restore trust with state agencies, local governments, volunteer departments, and private partners who’ve felt a disconnect in recent years. Washington County deserves a leader who listens, finds common ground, and gets things done without drama.
— Tim Shepard's campaign website (March 14, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
