Ethics complaints dismissed against Arkansas lieutenant governor, secretary of state

The Arkansas Ethics Commission dismissed complaints against Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester, both Republicans, according to documents from the commission.

Rutledge and Jester did not violate the law pertaining to campaign contribution and expenditure reports in their candidacies for the 2026 election cycle, the commission agreed. Both decisions were 4-0 votes with one commissioner absent, according to letters Ethics Commission Director Graham Sloan sent to Rutledge and Jester on Friday.

Rutledge is seeking a second and final term as lieutenant governor, and Jester is running for commissioner of state lands.

ArkLeg Bill Tracker co-founder Janie Ginocchio filed the complaints in September, alleging that Rutledge and Jester filed incomplete and inaccurate campaign finance reports.





https://arkansasadvocate.com/briefs/ethics-complaints-dismissed-against-arkansas-lieutenant-governor-secretary-of-state/