Arkansas elections: 19 run for president; two file against U.S. Rep. Hill, and another Hammerschmidt files (Updated)

Editor’s note: Talk Business & Politics reporter Michael Wilkey also contributed to this report. The story is now updated with a complete list of filings for federal and state offices.

As the filing period ended at noon Monday (Nov. 9), 13 Republicans – all the major announced candidates except former New York Gov. George Pataki and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore – paid the $25,000 filing fee to run for president in Arkansas. 

Meanwhile, two candidates filed Monday to run against incumbent 2nd District U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock. Brock Olree of Searcy filed to run against Hill in the Republican primary, while the only Arkansas Democrat campaigning for Congress, former Little Rock School Board member Dianne Curry, will be the Democrats’ nominee.

Also, John Arthur Hammerschmidt, the son of former U.S. Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, will contest the election for the House District 98 seat held by incumbent Rep. Ron McNair, R-Alpena, who also is running.

The presidential filing fees will net the Republican Party of Arkansas $325,000 that chairman Doyle Webb said will be used for elections. With 99 candidates for state House races, 16 state Senate races, and five candidates for Congress, the RPA raised a total of $857,000 in filing fees.

Democrats have seven state Senate candidates and 51 House candidates, including in two contested primaries. Six Democrats will run for that party’s presidential nomination after paying that party’s $2,500 filing fee – an amount set by the national party. In all, filing fees raised a little more than $250,000 for Democrats. Among the six candidates for president is John Wolfe, who filed today. The Tennessee attorney won 42% of the vote running for president in Arkansas against President Obama in 2012.

Curry did not want to comment on Hill’s Congressional job performance, saying only, “I feel that I would definitely be a challenge, and I would represent a group of people that maybe are not represented at this time.” She said her major issues will be education, job opportunities, women’s issues and re-entry programs for prison inmates. She said she is concerned about proposals to defund Planned Parenthood.

Hammerschmidt, 66, of Harrison is making his first try for elected office. He said he has been encouraged to run for office by “a lot of people … just regular folks that I drink coffee with every morning.” 

He said he had not previously run for office because, “I’ve been very busy in my life through many years and have really not had the opportunity, and more recently, I wanted to spend a lot of time with my father, who passed away earlier this year, and really just wanted to devote my full attention to his needs and his company.”

He said his father had encouraged him to run for office in the past.

“I’ve tried to follow in my dad’s footsteps in many different ways over the years,” he said.

His father, who served in the U.S. House for Arkansas’ 3rd Congressional District between 1966 and 1993, died April 1. He was 92. The late Hammerschmidt was one of only two Republicans to ever defeat Bill Clinton in a head-to-head political race.

“My father, really throughout my life, had always stressed the importance of serving other people, that is why we’re really here on Earth is to serve others, and I view this running for the state Legislature as just an opportunity to be able to do that,” he said.

Following are the filings in federal and state races.

Federal
President of the United States – Democratic
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, former Gov. Martin O’Malley, James Valentine, Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente, John Wolfe

President of the United States – Republican
Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. John Kasich, former Gov. Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Gov. Chris Christie, Donald J. Trump, Carly Fiorina, Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Sen. Rick Santorum, Sen. Rand Paul, Gov. Bobby Jindal

United States Senate
Sen. John Boozman, R-Rogers, Curtis Coleman, R-North Little Rock, Conner Eldridge, D-Fayetteville, Frank Gilbert, L-Tull. There is a write-in: Jason Tate of Fayetteville.

United States House, District 1
Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, Mark West, L-Oil Trough

United States House, District 2
Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, Brock Olree, R-Searcy, Chris Hayes, L-Mabelvale. There are also two write-ins: Mathew Wescott of Benton and Charles Neely of Little Rock.

United States House, District 3
Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, Nathan LaFrance, L-Bella Vista

United States House, District 4
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, Kerry Hicks, L-Mena

Arkansas
Arkansas House of Representatives
District 1 (Open) – Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, Rusty Latham, R-Texarkana

District 2 – Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia

District 3 – Hempstead County JP Danny Watson, R-Hope, Rep. Brent Talley, D-McCaskill, Cecil Anderson, L-Ozan

District 4 – Rep. DeAnn Vaught, R-Horatio, former Rep. Fonda Hawthorne, D-Ashdown

District 5 – Rep. David Fielding, D-Magnolia

District 6 – Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado

District 7 (Open) – former Rep. Garry Smith, D-Camden, Floyd M. Thomas Jr., D-El Dorado, Sonia Eubanks Barker, R-Smackover

District 8 – Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, D-Hermitage

District 9 – Rep. Sheilla Lampkin, D-Monticello, Jim Hall, R-Monticello

District 10 – Rep. Mike Holcomb, R-Pine Bluff, Dorothy Hall, D-Pine Bluff

District 11 – Rep. Mark McElroy, D-Tillar, Bob Ware, D-McGehee

District 12 – Rep. Chris Richey, D-Helena-West Helena

District 13 – Rep. David Hillman, D-Almyra

District 14 – Lonoke County JP Roger Lynch, R-Lonoke, Rep. Camille Bennett, D-Lonoke

District 15 – Rep. Ken Bragg, R-Sheridan, Wayne Willems, L-Traskwood

District 16 – Rep. Kenneth Ferguson, D-Pine Bluff

District 17 – Rep. Vivian Flowers, D-Pine Bluff

District 18 – Rep. Richard Womack, R-Arkadelphia, Clark County JP Richard Bright, D-Arkadelphia

District 19 – Rep. Justin Gonzales, R-Okolona

District 20 (Open) – John Maddox, R-Mena

District 21 – Rep. Marcus Richmond, R-Harvey

District 22 – Rep. Mickey Gates, R-Hot Springs

District 23 – Rep. Lanny Fite, R-Benton

District 24 – Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs

District 25 (Open) – Les Warren, R-Hot Springs, Richard Alvin Midkiff, R-Hot Springs, Jerry Rephan, D-Hot Springs

District 26 – Rep. Laurie Rushing, R-Hot Springs

District 27 (Open) – former Rep. Mike Creekmore, R-Bauxite, former Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley, Melissa Fults, D-Hensley

District 28 – Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton

District 29 – Rep. Fred Love, D-Little Rock, Glen Schwarz, L-Little Rock

District 30 – Rep. Charles Armstrong, D-Little Rock, former Rep. Fred Allen, D-Little Rock

District 31 – Rep. Andy Davis, R-Little Rock

District 32 – Rep. Jim Sorvillo, R-Little Rock, Susan Inman, D-Little Rock

District 33 – Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock, Michael Williams, L-Little Rock

District 34 – Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock

District 35 – Rep. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock

District 36 – Rep. Charles Blake, D-Little Rock

District 37 – Rep. Eddie L. Armstrong, D-North Little Rock

District 38 (Open) – Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock, Victoria Leigh, D-North Little Rock, Kent Walker, D-North Little Rock

District 39 – Rep. Mark Lowery, R-North Little Rock, Bill Rahn, D-North Little Rock

District 40 – Rep. Douglas House, R-North Little Rock

District 41 – Rep. Karilyn Brown, R-Sherwood

District 42 – Rep. Bob Johnson, D-Jacksonville, Patrick Thomas, R-Jacksonville

District 43 – Rep. Tim Lemons, R-Cabot

District 44 – Rep. Joe Farrer, R-Austin, Gary Baker, L-Searcy

District 45 – Rep. Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia

District 46 – Rep. Les Eaves, R-Searcy

District 47 – Rep. Michael John Gray, D-Augusta

District 48 – Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna

District 49 – Steve Hollowell, R-Forrest City, Rep. Marshall Wright, D-Forrest City

District 50 – Rep. Milton Nicks, D-Marion

District 51 – Rep. Deborah Ferguson, D-West Memphis

District 52 – Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro

District 53 – Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro

District 54 (Open) – Poinsett County Assessor Johnny Rye, R-Trumann, former Rep. Wes Wagner, R-Manila, Hunter Williams, D-Blytheville

District 55 – Rep. Monte Hodges, D-Blytheville

District 56 – Rep. Joe Jett, D-Success

District 57 (Open) – Shawn Strouss, R-Paragould, Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, Ronnie Spence, R-Paragould, Frankie Gillam, D-Paragould

District 58 – Rep. Brandt Smith, R-Jonesboro, Nate Looney, D-Jonesboro

District 59 – Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro

District 60 – Frances “Fran” Cavenaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden

District 61 – Marsh Davis, R-Cherokee Village, Rep. Scott Baltz, D-Pocahontas, Christopher Olson, L-Viola

District 62 – Rep. Michelle Gray, R-Melbourne

District 63 – Rep. James Sturch, R-Batesville, Phillip Finch, R-Batesville

District 64 – Rep. John Payton, R-Wilburn

District 65 – Rep. Rick Beck, R-Center Ridge

District 66 – Rep. Josh Miller, R-Heber Springs, Chris Steplock, R-Greenbrier

District 67 – Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier

District 68 – Rep. Trevor Drown, R-Dover

District 69 (Open) – Aaron Pilkington, R-Clarksville, former Rep. George Overbey, D-Lamar

District 70 – Rep. David Meeks, R-Conway

District 71 – Rep. Ken Henderson, R-Russellville

District 72 – Rep. Steve Magie, D-Conway, Shannon Taylor, R-Conway

District 73 – Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, Lesa Wolfe Cromwell, D-Dardanelle

District 74 – Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris

District 75 – Rep. Charlotte Douglas, R-Alma

District 76 – Rep. Mathew Pitsch, R-Fort Smith

District 77 – Rep. Justin Boyd, R-Fort Smith, Stephen Edwards, L-Fort Smith

District 78 – Rep. George McGill, D-Fort Smith

District 79 – Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh, R-Van Buren

District 80 – Rep. Charlene Fite, R-Van Buren

District 81 (Open) – Derek Goodlin, R-Rudy, Bruce Coleman, R-Mountainburg, Susan McGaughey, D-West Fork

District 82 – Rep. Bill Gossage, R-Ozark

District 83 – Rep. David Branscum, R-Marshall, Kyle Adams, L-Deer

District 84 – Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville

District 85 – Dwight Gonzales, R-Fayetteville, Rep. David Whitaker, D-Fayetteville

District 86 – Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville

District 87 – Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Springdale

District 88 (Open) – Isaac Foley, R-Springdale, Philip Humbard, R-Springdale, Clint Penzo, R-Springdale

District 89 (Open) – Jeff Williams, R-Springdale, Charles Gaines, R-Springdale, Irvin Camacho, D-Springdale

District 90 – Rep. Jana Della Rosa, R-Rogers, former Rep. Randy Alexander, R-Rogers, Jana Starr, R-Springdale

District 91 – Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville

District 92 – Rep. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette

District 93 – Rep. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville

District 94 – Rep. Rebecca Petty, R-Rogers, former Rep. Debra Hobbs, R-Rogers, Grimsley Graham, D-Rogers

District 95 – Rep. Sue Scott, R-Rogers, Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, Grant Brand, L-Pea Ridge

District 96 – Rep. Grant Hodges, R-Rogers, Michael Kalagias, L-Garfield

District 97 – Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville

District 98 – Rep. Ron McNair, R-Alpena, John Arthur Hammerschmidt, R-Harrison

District 99 (Open) – Bruce Emerson, R-Yellville, Jack Fortner, R-Yellville

District 100 – Rep. Nelda Speaks, R-Mountain Home

Arkansas Senate
District 1 – Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs

District 2 – Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs

District 7 (Open) – JP Sharon Lloyd, R-Springdale, Rep. Lance Eads, R-Springdale

District 11 – Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr., R-Texarkana

District 12 – Sen. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia

District 13 – Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale

District 16 – Sen. Greg Standridge, R-Russellville

District 21 – Sen. John Cooper, R-Jonesboro

District 22 – Rep. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola

District 23 – Sen. Ronald Caldwell, R-Wynne

District 25 – Sen. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff

District 26 – Sen. Eddie Cheatham, D-Crossett, Elvis Presley, L-Star City

District 27 – Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, Sen. Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan

District 28 – Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe

District 29 – Lonoke County JP R.D. Hopper, R-Cabot, Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot

District 32 (Open) – former Rep. Will Bond, D-Little Rock, Jacob Mosier, L-Little Rock

District 34 – Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock, Joe Woodson, D-North Little Rock, Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-North Little Rock

Arkansas Judiciary
Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice (Open)
Associate Justice Courtney Goodson of Fayetteville, Circuit Judge Dan Kemp of Mountain View

Position 5 (Open) – Circuit Judge Shawn Womack of Mountain Home

Arkansas Court of Appeals
District 2, Position 2 (Open) – Circuit Judge Mike Murphy of Conway, Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland of Conway

District 5 (Open) – Mark Klappenbach of Fordyce, Job Serebrov of Sheridan, James McMenis of Smackover

District 6, Position 1 – Appeals Judge Rita W. Gruber of Little Rock

District 7 – Appeals Judge Waymond Brown of Pine Bluff