Cooper, Rockwell Set For State Senate Finale

Republican John Cooper and Democrat Steve Rockwell will face each other in a special State Senate general election on Jan. 14 after both Jonesboro residents edged rivals in run-off races on Tuesday.

The open seat was created by the August resignation of State Sen. Paul Bookout (D-Jonesboro), who stepped down amid an ethics scandal that showed he spent extraordinary amounts of campaign funds on personal expenses.

Cooper defeated Republican Dan Sullivan, a Jonesboro businessman, in Tuesday’s run-off by a 1,486-1,419 margin, according to unofficial results.

Rockwell inched past Valley View Superintendent Radius Baker by a 1,215-1,191 vote count.

Rockwell and Cooper will square off in a Jan. 14 special election for the Senate District 21 seat.

Rockwell is an executive in a family publishing business; Cooper is a retired AT&T manager.