FORT SMITH, Ark. (September 16, 2025) – Judge Gunner DeLay has announced he will seek a second term for Sebastian County Circuit Court in the upcoming primary election scheduled for March 3, 2026. DeLay stated his reason for running for re-election is simple – “the people of Sebastian County want and deserve an experienced, trusted, conservative judge handling the important matters that come before the court.”
DeLay has over 37 years of legal, judicial, and legislative experience making him well qualified to serve as Circuit Judge. His record of public service includes serving eight years in the Arkansas Legislature as a Republican State Representative and State Senator, a two-year term as Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney, serving as a member of the Sebastian County Election Commission, and being appointed as a Fort Smith District Court Judge before taking the bench as a Circuit Judge in 2019.
“During my time as a legislator, I obtained the funding to start the first drug court program in Sebastian County,” DeLay said. “As a Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Judge, I have seen how that program has changed and impacted lives making our community safer and more productive.” As Prosecuting Attorney, DeLay tried multiple felony cases, including a capital murder case. As Circuit Judge, DeLay handles 30% of the civil cases, and 50% of the criminal cases filed in Sebastian County. He has presided over jury trials involving medical malpractice claims, property and contractual disputes, and serious felony cases.
Statistics provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts show DeLay’s office is one of the most diligent in the state. In 2024, his office exceeded the stateaverage for timely disposition of both civil and criminal cases. “That means we are doing the work taxpayers expect us to do. Last year alone, my court disposed of 1,758 cases,” commented DeLay.
DeLay has also served as Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee, which helped save taxpayers millions of dollars. He explained, “the committee adopted several policies that kept our jail population at a manageable number, which meant we did not have to ask the voters for a tax increase to build a larger jail facility.”
Educating young people about the judicial branch of government is a top priority for DeLay. Each spring, local fourth grade classes visit his courtroom to learn how a jury trial works, as well as ask questions about the law. “This program gives these students a better understanding of the law, and an appreciation for our judicial system,” he remarked.
The judicial role models DeLay most closely aligns himself with are U.S. Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. “I am a strong believer in judicial restraint when it comes to interpreting statutes and the constitution. The original intent of the framers should be our guiding light.
Unfortunately, there are judges who want to impose their political ideology from the bench,” DeLay commented. “That type of judicial activism undermines the credibility of the courts.”
“It has been my great pleasure to serve as Sebastian County Circuit Judge. I am blessed to go to work each day getting to do a job I love and enjoy so much,” said DeLay.
DeLay is a member of the National Rifle Association and the Federalist Society.
He has been married to his wife Robin for 40 years, and they have four children and four grandchildren. He attends First Baptist Church where he teaches a class of newly married couples, and also teaches a mid-week Bible Study at Christ the King Catholic Church.
