State Senate races across central, south Arkansas oust two incumbents

There will be two fewer incumbents in the Arkansas State Senate after Tuesday’s primary election returns are officially tabulated.

State Sen. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, and State Sen. Charles Beckham, R-Magnolia, trailed their primary opponents in their re-election bids to the upper chamber, according to unofficial election results provided by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office.

Sample lagged behind GOP challenger Matt McKee, a justice of the peace, by 51.5%-48.5%.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Beckham trailed Republican challenger Steve Crowell, a city alderman, by 51%-49%.

One of the premiere match-ups in the State Senate pitted incumbent Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Little Rock, against State Rep. Spencer Hawks, R-Conway, in a newly drawn district that included more of Conway than it did previously. With 100% of precincts reporting, Johnson led Hawks 54%-46%.

Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, handily beat city councilman Rick Harrell 66%-34%.

State Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, easily won his Democratic primary against challenger Dorothy Dyson Cooper by a 69%-31% margin.

In south Arkansas, Matt Stone, father-in-law to outgoing Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, won a newly drawn State Senate seat over two Republican primary challengers, Beth Callaway and James McMenis. Stone pulled 66% of the vote against the two opponents.

For more coverage of election returns, visit the regional pages at TalkBusiness.net.