LITTLE ROCK - Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday the appointment of Erin Hunter to fill the upcoming prosecuting attorney vacancy in the judicial district that includes Little River, Sevier, Howard and Pike counties.
Hunter, now a deputy prosecuting attorney in the 9th Judicial District West, will begin leading the office Jan. 1 and her appointment will run through Dec. 31, 2022. Hunter will finish the term of Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Chesshir, who is leaving to become a circuit judge in the district Jan. 1. She earned her law degree in 2010.
"She is exactly who I wanted to have the appointment," Chesshir said. "She is a very hard worker, extremely intelligent and she will make the transition very easy. She is an outstanding young lawyer."
Voters in the 9th West will elect a new prosecuting attorney in 2022.
A person appointed to an elected position in Arkansas cannot run for the office's next term.
Hunter thanked Hutchinson for the appointment.
"I am sincerely grateful," Hunter said in a statement issued by the governor's office. "I look forward to continuing to fulfill the duties of the prosecutor's office that Bryan Chesshir faithfully executed during his terms as elected prosecutor."