With party switcher, GOP majorities reach 74 in House, 26 in the Senate

Republicans on Tuesday added two seats in the Senate to increase their majority to 26 while adding seven seats in the House to reach 73 – then added another on Wednesday when third term Rep. Jeff Wardlaw of Hermitage switched parties from Democrat to Republican.

In the 135-member Legislature, Republicans now occupy 100 seats while Democrats occupy 35. In 2008, Democrats controlled 102 of the 135 seats.

In contested Senate races, Republicans defeated two Democratic incumbents, while a Republican senator held onto her seat and a Democratic senator held onto a seat already held by Democrats. The Senate has 35 members.

– In Senate District 22, Rep. Dave Wallace, R-Leachville, defeated incumbent Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola, 60-40%.
– In District 27, Trent Garner defeated incumbent Sen. Bobby Pierce, D-Sheridan, 55-45%.
– In District 34, Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock, defeated Democrat Joe Woodson, 58-42%.
– In District 32, Democrat Will Bond defeated Libertarian Jacob Mosier, 75-25%. The seat is currently held by Sen. David Johnson, D-Little Rock.

In the House, which has 100 seats, Republicans picked up seven seats, including beating four incumbent Democrats, plus added Wardlaw, to reach 74.

– In District 3, Republican Danny Watson defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Brent Talley of Hope and Libertarian Cecil Anderson, 57-42-2%.
– In District 7 in an open seat race, the Republican, Sonia Barker, defeated Democrat Floyd Thomas and independent Glenn Glover, 55-37-8%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. John Baine of El Dorado.
– In District 14, Republican Roger Lynch defeated Democratic incumbent Rep. Camille Bennett of Lonoke, 52-48%.
– In District 20, Republican John Maddox defeated independent Henry Nielson, 84-16%, for the seat currently held by independent Rep. Nate Bell of Mena.
– In District 25 in an open seat race, Republican Les Warren defeated Democrat Jerry Rephan, 59-41%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. John Vines of Hot Springs.
– In District 49, Republican Steve Hollowell defeated incumbent Rep. Marshall Wright of Forrest City, 56-44%.
– In District 57 in an open seat race, Republican Jimmy Gazaway defeated Frankie Gilliam, 66-34%. The seat currently is held by a Democrat, Rep. Mary Broadaway of Paragould.
– In District 60, Republican Frances Cavenaugh defeated incumbent Democrat Rep. James Ratliff of Imboden, 51-49%.
– In District 69 in an open seat race, Republican Aaron Pilkington defeated Democrat George Overbey, 58-42%. The seat is held by Rep. Betty Overbey of Lamar, a Democrat.