Files, Glidewell head to June 8 runoff election; Malone wins big

It’s not over even when it’s over.

The Arkansas Senate District 13 seat representing Fort Smith will see former State Rep. Jake Files and Rep. Frank Glidewell in a runoff in the GOP primary. The runoff election is slated for June 8.

Files was the top vote-getter in the three-way race that also included former State Rep. Jim Medley. Files unofficially ended the primary election with 2,553 votes (39.81%), Glidewell ended with 2,391 votes (37.28%), and Medley with 1,469 votes (36.73%).

“I’m excited to be able to continue this campaign. The people in Fort Smith need a Senator who will stand up for them, who will work to create jobs and who isn’t afraid to debate the issues,” Files said. “I will spend the next three weeks continuing to pound the message that we need effective representation in Little Rock and I think the voters will be able to make an informed decision at that time.”

Files also said he hopes there is an opportunity to go head-to-head in a debate with Glidewell before the runoff election. Glidewell recently refused to participate in a debate with Files and Medley

Robert Glidewell, Frank Glidewell’s son, told The City Wire that his dad will spend the next three weeks “reaching out and talking to his constituents.”

“Jake ran a very good race and we’ll regroup in the morning and work as hard as we can in the next three weeks,” Robert Glidewell said.

Robert was not willing to say whether his dad would commit to a debate.

The runoff winner will be the next Senator because no Democrats filed for the seat.

MALONE WINS BIG
Rep. Stephanie Malone maintained an early lead to win big against challenger and Fort Smith City Director Gary Campbell in the GOP primary for Arkansas House District 64 race. Malone won the primary with more than 63% of the vote. With no Democrats filing for the District 64 seat, Malone will return to her second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

“I just did what I did last time. I went door to door every day after work,” Malone said when asked about her wide margin of victory.

“I’m excited, but I’m exhausted,” she added.

She said her focus in the next few months will be to help Republican candidates in House races who have November election opponents.

Malone also said she would remain neutral in the runoff race between Files and Glidewell.

Another big winner was Sen. Denny Altes, who captured 59% of the vote in the Arkansas House District 63 GOP primary race against former 188th Commander J.R. Dallas.

Altes also is the winner of the seat because no Democrats filed in the District 63 race.

PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS (Unofficial)
Arkansas Senate District 13 (Fort Smith)
GOP Primary only
Jake Files: 2,553 (39.81%)
Rep. Frank Glidewell: 2,391 (37.28%)
Jim Medley: 1,469 (22.91%)

Arkansas House District 63 (Fort Smith)
GOP Primary only
Sen. Denny Altes: 2,312 (59.05%)
J.R. Dallas: 1,603 (40.95%)

Arkansas House District 64 (Fort Smith)
GOP Primary only
Fort Smith City Director Gary Campbell: 814 (36.73%)
Rep. Stephanie Malone: 1,402 (63.27%)