Candidate filing period closes

The Arkansas candidate filing period closed Wednesday (Nov. 12) at noon without any major surprises.

Candidates filed for all four of the state’s Congressional seats, a U.S. Senate seat, all seven statewide constitutional officers, 100 Arkansas House of Representative races, and 18 state Senate seats.

Incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., will face two primary challengers — Micah Ashby and Jeb Little — who filed this week. Democrats fielded two candidates for the U.S. Senate, farmer Hallie Shoffner and Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar.

All four Congressmen — incumbent Republican Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman — will face Democrats and Independents. In the 1st District, Crawford will run against Terri Green, a Democrat, and Jason Gaines, an Independent.

U.S. Rep. French Hill faces a Republican challenger from Chase McDowell in his 2nd District reelection bid. Two Democrats filed for the office, Chris Jones and Zach Huffman. Third District Rep. Steve Womack faces Democrat Robb Ryerse and Independent Christopher Hocevar. In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman will face the winner of the Democratic primary between James “Rus” Russell and Steve O’Donnell.

Gov. Sarah Sanders did not draw a primary opponent, but two Democrats have entered the gubernatorial race. State Sen. Fred Love, D-Little Rock, and Supha Xayprasith-Mays filed for the Democratic nomination for governor.

Three Republicans will battle for the Secretary of State’s GOP nomination. State Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton; Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison; and Bryan Norris will seek the Republican nomination. The winner will face Democrat Kelly Grappe.

Two Republicans filed for the Commissioner of State Lands office. Secretary of State Cole Jester, who is prohibited from running for reelection to his current office, will face Christian Olson in the GOP primary. No Democrats filed for the seat.

Four of Arkansas’ statewide incumbent GOP constitutional officers did not draw opponents. Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General Tim Griffin, Auditor Dennis Milligan, and Treasurer John Thurston will all run unopposed in 2026.

Of the 18 state Senate seats that will be on the ballot in 2026, nine of them will be contested. In the House, 47 of the 100 seats will be challenged in either the party primaries or general election.

Of note, Rep. Brad Hall, R-Rudy, did not file for reelection. He recently requested to have his divorce filing sealed after his wife made allegations that he sexually abused her during their marriage.

There will be two contests for the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2026. Justice Cody Hiland will run unopposed for the Position 6 seat on the state’s high court. Justice Nick Bronni drew an opponent, attorney John Adams, for the Position 3 seat. Supreme Court justices run as nonpartisan independents for office. Hiland and Bronni have both been appointed to their current posts on the Supreme Court by Gov. Sarah Sanders. Hiland has served as the chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas and Bronni worked for Attorneys General Tim Griffin and Leslie Rutledge. Adams once ran as a Democrat for U.S. Congress and for the Arkansas State House.

To see a complete list of all the election matchups, click here.

Party primaries will be held March 3, 2026. Runoff elections are scheduled for March 31, 2026. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.