Justice Karen Baker is the first woman to be elected to serve as the Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice. ARKANSAS, USA — Arkansas history was made on Nov. 4 after the state elected its first woman to the Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice position, according to the Associated Press.

The winner will succeed retiring Chief Justice Dan Kemp for an eight-year term, starting Jan. 1. During their campaigns for chief justice, Baker and Wood were at odds about who has the best experience,

Karen Baker was leading fellow Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda Wood early Wednesday to become the high court’s new chief justice. The Associated Press called the race for Baker. Unofficial returns from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office,