Republicans dominate Arkansas House races in Northeast Arkansas
by November 3, 2020 11:57 pm 1,077 views
Republicans swept into power in Northeast Arkansas during the last decade, culminating with a decisive takeover of most of the region’s state house seats that had been held by Democrats for generations. That hammerlock continued during the 2016 general election cycle.
The four Jonesboro-area house seats that were won by Republicans during that last wave remained in the GOP column after election results were tabulated Tuesday night. All results are unofficial.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Jack Ladyman easily defeated Democrat Reginald (Ray) Prunty in the State House District 59 race. Ladyman tallied 6,220 votes (62%) of those cast while, Prunty received 3,174 (38%).
Incumbent Republican Rep. Brandt Smith outpaced his Democrat opponent Jim Burton in the State House District 58 race. Smith received 7,642 votes (62%) of those cast. Burton received 4,735 votes (38%).
In the most lopsided state house the race of the night, Lake City Mayor Jon Milligan won his race in the State House 53 contest against Shawn Only. Milligan received 9,061 votes (76.5%) while Only garnered 2,790 votes (23.5%). Milligan will replace State Rep. Dan Sullivan who ran for and won a state senate seat.
Results for the for the state house district 55 race were incomplete as of press time. Incumbent Democrat Rep. Monte Hodges had tallied 136 votes (42%) while his Republican opponent tallied 188 votes (58%). Only 50% of votes had been tallied as of press time.