With party switcher, GOP majorities reach 74 in House, 26 in the Senate

by Steve Brawner ([email protected]) 374 views 

Republicans on Tuesday added two seats in the Senate to increase their majority to 26 while adding seven seats in the House to reach 73 – then added another on Wednesday when third term Rep. Jeff Wardlaw of Hermitage switched parties from Democrat to Republican.

In the 135-member Legislature, Republicans now occupy 100 seats while Democrats occupy 35. In 2008, Democrats controlled 102 of the 135 seats.

In contested Senate races, Republicans defeated two Democratic incumbents, while a Republican senator held onto her seat and a Democratic senator held onto a seat already held by Democrats. The Senate has 35 members.

– In Senate District 22, Rep. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, defeated incumbent Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola, 60-40%.
– In District 27, Trent Garner defeated incumbent Sen. Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, 55-45%.
– In District 34, Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock, defeated Democrat Joe Woodson, 58-42%.
– In District 32, Democrat Will Bond defeated Libertarian Jacob Mosier, 75-25%. The seat is currently held by Sen. David Johnson, D-Little Rock.

In the House, which has 100 seats, Republicans picked up seven seats, including beating four incumbent Democrats, plus added Wardlaw, to reach 74.

– In District 3, Republican Danny Watson defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Brent Talley of Hope and Libertarian Cecil Anderson, 57-42-2%.
– In District 7 in an open seat race, the Republican, Sonia Barker, defeated Democrat Floyd Thomas and independent Glenn Glover, 55-37-8%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. John Baine of El Dorado.
– In District 14, Republican Roger Lynch defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Camille Bennett of Lonoke, 52-48%.
– In District 20, Republican John Maddox defeated independent Henry Nielson, 84-16%, for the seat currently held by independent Rep. Nate Bell of Mena.
– In District 25 in an open seat race, Republican Les Warren defeated Democrat Jerry Rephan, 59-41%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. John Vines of Hot Springs.
– In District 49, Republican Steve Hollowell defeated incumbent Rep. Marshall Wright of Forrest City, 56-44%.
– In District 57 in an open seat race, Republican Jimmy Gazaway defeated Frankie Gilliam, 66-34%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. Mary Broadaway of Paragould.
– In District 60, Republican Frances Cavenaugh defeated incumbent Democrat Rep. James Ratliff of Imboden, 51-49%.
– In District 69 in an open seat race, Republican Aaron Pilkington defeated Democrat George Overbey, 58-42%. The seat is held by Rep. Betty Overbey of Lamar, a Democrat.