Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker was leading Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood on Tuesday night in their race for chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The winner will succeed retiring Chief Justice Dan Kemp for an eight-year term, starting Jan. 1.

Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker is the next chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court and is the first woman elected to the post in Arkansas.

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,