Busy Monday kicks off Arkansas campaign filing period for 2016 election cycle

The first day of the 2016 filing period saw more than 240 visit the State Capitol on Monday with hundreds more filing in county courthouses around the state. Candidates are filing for the March 1 primary and the Nov. 8, 2016 general election.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was the first person to file as the clock struck 12 p.m. at the capitol. Huckabee, who was governor from 1996 to 2007, filed for the Republican nomination for President. Huckabee was one of five Republicans and one Democrat to turn in paperwork. Other Republicans filing Monday were the campaigns of Ben Carson, who visited West Memphis Friday; former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. The campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT also filed Monday for the Democratic nod.

Locally, two U.S. Senate candidates filed Monday. Democrat Conner Eldridge and Libertarian Frank Gilbert submitted paperwork to run for the Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.

Also, two Libertarians filed for congressional seats Monday. Nathan LaFrance of Bella Vista filed in the 3rd Congressional District, a seat held by U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers. Kerry Hicks of Mena filed in the 4th District to run against U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs.

Another Libertarian entered and left the building after turning in paperwork Monday. Elvis D. Presley of Star City filed for District 26 against incumbent Sen. Eddie Cheatham, D-Crossett.

Other key filings Monday include House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, who filed in District 45; Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs in District 2; Rep. Joe Jett, D-Success, in District 56 and Rep. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, in District 35.

Also, there were three prominent judicial filings Monday. Associate Justice Courtney Goodson turned in paperwork to run for Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, while Circuit Judge Shawn Womack filed for Position 5 on the court. Sen. David Johnson, D-North Little Rock, who is not running for a state Senate seat, filed Monday to run for Pulaski County District Judge, District 31 (Jacksonville/Maumelle).

ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE
The state House and state Senate ballots will be busy next year, as 16 contested races for the combined 135 seats developed Monday. As of Monday, there were seven primary races set for March 1 with another nine set for November. Following are basic info on the contested races.

• Contested House Races for March Primary
District 25 – Republicans Les Warren and Richard Midkiff, both of Hot Springs

District 27 – Republicans fmr. Reps. Mike Creekmore, R-Bauxite and Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley. The incumbent, Mayberry’s wife, Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, is not seeking another term. Also, Democrat Melissa Fults has announced she will run.

District 30 – Democrats Rep. Charles Armstrong and former Rep. Fred Allen, both of Little Rock

District 81 – Republicans Derek Goodlin of Rudy and Bruce Coleman of Mountainburg. The incumbent, Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork, is not running again.

District 89 – Republicans Jeff Williams and Charles Gaines, both of Springdale. The incumbent, Rep. Micah Neal, R-Springdale, is running for Washington County Judge.

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

District 99 – Republicans Jack Fortner and Bruce Emerson, both of Yellville. The incumbent, Rep. Kelley Linck, R-Flippin, is not running in 2016.

• Contested House Races for November
District 3 – Hempstead County JP Danny Watson, R-Hope and Rep. Brent Talley, D-McCaskill

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

District 14 – Republican and Lonoke County JP Roger D. Lynch of Lonoke and Rep. Camille Bennett, D-Lonoke

District 60 – Republican Fran Cavenaugh of Walnut Ridge and Rep. James Ratliff, D-Imboden

District 69 – Republican Aaron Pilkington of Clarksville and former Rep. George Overbey, D-Lamar. Overbey’s wife, Rep. Betty Overbey, D-Lamar, is not running for reelection.

District 77 – Rep. Justin Boyd, R-Fort Smith, and Libertarian Stephen Edwards of Fort Smith.

District 85 – Republican Dwight Gonzales of Fayetteville and Rep. David Whitaker, D-Fayetteville

• Contested Senate Races for November
District 26 – Sen. Eddie Cheatham, D-Crossett and Libertarian Elvis Presley of Star City

District 34 – Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock and Democrat Joe Woodson of North Little Rock. Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-North Little Rock has announced he will seek the state Senate seat.

The Arkansas Democratic Party issued a statement late Monday praising their slate of candidates.

“We are absolutely excited about the about the new candidates that are filing. They, along with our incumbents, come from diverse backgrounds, occupations, are well qualified, and truly represent Arkansas values. We look forward to the 2016 campaign and are excited about the opportunities our candidates have to make a difference in their districts,” Rep. Michael John Gray, Democratic House Minority Leader said in the statement.

The filing period continues Tuesday and goes through noon Nov. 9. Judicial candidates have until 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 to file. The primary is March 1, with a runoff election set for March 22. The general election is Nov. 8, 2016. The complete list of candidates for the 2016 primary can be found at this page on the Secretary of State website.