Several state, federal races develop in waning days of election filing period

Thursday (Nov. 5) was a repeat of Wednesday at the Arkansas Capitol as nearly a dozen late filers showed up in the minutes before filing closed for the day with several races developing.

As of 5 p.m., 27 candidates filed for federal, state and judicial races for the March 1 primary. The filing period ends at noon Monday (Nov. 9) for federal and state candidates and at 3 p.m. Monday (Nov. 9) for judicial candidates.

As the dust settled Thursday, several primary races developed for March.

In the state House, Republican Jimmy Gazaway of Paragould filed for the District 57 seat. Gazaway joins Republican Shawn Strouss, who filed for the seat Monday.

Republican Ronnie Spence is expected to file Friday at the Capitol. The seat is held by Rep. Mary Broadaway, D-Paragould, who announced earlier this year that she will not seek another term.

A Faulkner County resident also filed Thursday as a Republican, setting up a primary race in District 66. Chris Steplock of Greenbrier turned in paperwork to run for the seat, held by Rep. Josh Miller, R-Heber Springs. Miller filed earlier this week to seek another term in office.

In the state Senate, a primary battle also developed Thursday for a central Arkansas seat. Incumbent Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot, filed for re-election in District 29. Williams joins Lonoke County JP R.D. Hopper of Cabot so far in the race. Hopper filed earlier this week at the Capitol.

In addition to the primary races, several legislative races also developed for next November. In House District 29, Libertarian Glen Schwarz of Little Rock filed to run against Rep. Fred Love, D-Little Rock. Love filed earlier this week for another term.

To the south, a Pine Bluff Democrat also turned in paperwork in House District 10.

Dorothy Hall filed to run for the seat, held by Rep. Mike Holcomb, R-Pine Bluff. Holcomb switched parties earlier this year, citing frustration with the Democratic Party over several issues.

In neighboring District 9, a Monticello Republican also filed Thursday. Jim Hall turned in paperwork and will face Rep. Sheilla Lampkin, D-Monticello. Lampkin filed Tuesday to seek another two-year term.

Another Libertarian also filed Thursday for a state House seat. Wayne Willems of Traskwood is running in District 15. The incumbent, Rep. Ken Bragg, R-Sheridan, filed this week for another term.

A state House race also developed late in the day in Faulkner County. Republican Shannon Taylor of Conway filed in District 72 and will face Rep. Steve Magie, D-Conway, next fall.

A state Senate race also developed. Incumbent Sen. Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, filed Thursday for another term. Pierce will face Republican Trent Garner of El Dorado, who filed Monday.

Following are Legislative incumbents who filed Thursday.
STATE HOUSE
• Rep. Jim Sorvillo, R-Little Rock, who filed in District 32
• Rep. Milton Nicks, D-Marion, who filed in District 50
• Rep. Monte Hodges, D-Blytheville, who filed in District 55
• Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, who filed in District 73. Bentley joins Democrat Lesa Wolfe Cromwell of Dardanelle in the race.
• Rep. Kim Hendren, R-Gravette, who filed in District 92
• Rep. Sue Scott, R-Rogers, who filed in District 95.

STATE SENATE
• Sen. Bruce Maloch, D-Magnolia, who filed in District 12.

There were only two federal filings Thursday. Libertarian Mark West of Oil Trough filed Thursday to run for the 1st District seat held by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro.

James Valentine, a Democrat from Miami Beach, Fla., turned in paperwork to join the Democratic field for President. According to a Florida television station, Valentine – who joins former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley in the Democratic ballot – wants to revise the U.S. Constitution.