Republicans In NEA Make History With Gains

It was a day of historical proportions Tuesday as Northeast Arkansas Republicans defeated several Democratic incumbents in the state House and grew their majority in the state Senate.

The numbers were unofficial, but made Republicans excited throughout the region.

One of the most contested races Tuesday was in Senate District 20, where Republican Blake Johnson faced Democratic incumbent Robert Thompson.

Thompson conceded the race after election returns boosted Johnson to an insurmountable lead. The district includes Greene, Craighead, Lawrence, Clay and Randolph counties.

Republican Linda Collins-Smith defeated Democrat Rep. James McLean in the Senate District 19 race, which was held by Democratic Sen. David Wyatt, who chose not to run again.

Republicans won in each of the state House races in Craighead County Tuesday night. In District 52, Dwight Tosh defeated Democrat Radius Baker, while Dan Sullivan beat incumbent Rep. Homer Lenderman in District 53.

Republican Brandt Smith defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Harold Copenhaver and Republican David Wallace knocked off Democratic incumbent Rep. Wes Wagner.

Smith said he was happy for the win and support Tuesday.

“I was told early on that you could be hopeful and work real hard. They figured there was no way to pull this off, considering (Copenhaver) being an incumbent with the Democratic machine behind him. But I figured if I talked to people one on one or in groups, I could be a good representative for them,” Smith said.

Also, Republican Blaine Davis beat Democratic Rep. James Ratliff in District 60, while Democratic Rep. Scott Baltz was the only area Democrat to beat his GOP challenger, Doug Driesel.

Going into Tuesday, Republicans had a 51-48-1 margin in the state’s lower chamber and Republicans had a 21-13 majority, with one vacancy, in the state Senate.

With Tuesday’s outcomes and two races still undecided, the GOP has 63 House seats and 23 Senate seats to the Democrats 35 House seats and 12 Senate seats.