title: Chris Piazza
text: # 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.
  
  