Chris Piazza
# Chris Piazza

Christopher C. Piazza is a Division 2 judge of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit.

## Notable rulings

### Wright v. Arkansas

On May 9, 2014, Piazza ruled the ban on same-sex marriage in the state of Arkansas was unconstitutional, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state.

### Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole

On April 16, 2010, Piazza overturned Arkansas Act 1 in the case of Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Cole which makes it illegal for any individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage to adopt or provide foster care to minors. The ruling was upheld unanimously by the Arkansas Supreme Court on April 7, 2011.

## Electoral history

### 1984

Democratic primary election of Arkansas prosecuting attorney of the Arkansas Sixth Circuit, June 1984 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Chris Piazza | 36,782 | 52.79 |
| | Democratic | Mark Stodola | 32,891 | 47.21 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 69,673 | 100 |

### 1990

Democratic primary election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, May 29, 1990 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Chris Piazza | 43,331 | 74.74 |
| | Democratic | John Choate | 14,643 | 25.26 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 57,974 | 100 |

General election of Arkansas Circuit Judge, District 6, Division 2, November 6, 1990 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Chris Piazza | 43,206 | 50.11 |
| | Republican | Hayward Battle | 22,786 | 26.43 |
| | No party preference | Henry Osterloh | 20,226 | 23.46 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,338 | 100 |

### 2014

Chris Piazza is running for re-election to the Sixth Circuit. He is running unopposed in the general election for the Sixth Circuit on May 20, 2014.

## Appointments

Piazza was appointed by Bill Clinton, during his time as Arkansas governor, to chair a panel that was drafting state ethics legislation. Due to this appointment, Piazza recused himself from a later case to disbar Clinton.

