Simon defeats Dunn in Senate District 26 runoff, will face Watson in general

In a runoff election in which the two candidates spent at least $306,000 combined, Paris businessman Brad Simon defeated Wade Dunn of Greenwood in Tuesday’s (Feb. 3) Republican primary runoff for the Arkansas Senate District 26 seat.

Simon had 65.07% of the vote, and Dunn had 34.93%, with 5,577 votes cast, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Dunn outpaced Simon in the primary race held Jan. 6, receiving 37.17% of the vote compared with Simon capturing 30.76%.

Simon will face Independent candidate Adam Watson in the March 3 election.

Senate District 26 includes parts of Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Sebastian counties. Towns in the large legislative district include Barling, Booneville, Charleston, Clarksville, Greenwood, Lamar, Lavaca, Ozark and Paris.

COUNTY NUMBERS
Following are the percentage vote results by county.
Franklin
Brad Simon: 56.61%
Wade Dunn: 43.39%

Johnson
Brad Simon: 67.81%
Wade Dunn: 32.19%

Logan
Brad Simon: 79.96%
Wade Dunn: 20.04%

Sebastian
Brad Simon: 53.42%
Wade Dunn: 46.58%

“This race was not about one person, or one issue, or one county,” Simon said in a statement sent to Talk Business & Politics. “This election was about all of Senate District 26 and the values we hold dear being represented in Little Rock. I am thankful to earn the Republican nomination in such a conservative district and do not take lightly the task of following the late Senator Gary Stubblefield. Tomorrow we will continue our campaign to represent all of District 26. Tonight though, we will celebrate a hard fought victory that earned every vote we received. I appreciate my family for their devotion, our campaign team and volunteers for their hard work, and most of all I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to continue our campaign.”

Watson told Talk Business & Politics that his campaign strategy for the general election did not depend on who won the GOP primary.

“My campaign plans don’t change on the result of this race.” Watson said. “I’m running for a seat that belongs to the people, I’m not running against an opponent.

CAMPAIGN MONEY
According to the candidate filings with the Arkansas Secretary of State, Simon spent $220,940 on the campaign as of Jan. 26. Simon loaned his campaign $175,000, and reported $66,700 in contributions. Simon’s campaign balance as of Jan. 26 was $20,759.

Dunn spent $85,270 on the campaign as of Jan. 26, and loaned his campaign $52,500. He reported contributions of $56,500, and his campaign balance was $23,729.

Watson, who commended all those who stepped up to run, said he will be competitive financially in the general election, but also will depend on his personal campaigning and get-out-the-vote efforts.

“My legwork does a lot more favors for me than dollars do,” Watson said.

ELECTION FIGHT, PRISON ISSUE
The special election follows the Sept. 2, 2025, passing of Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, who held the District 26 seat. Stubblefield’s wife, Kathi, and daughter, Amber Sullivan, endorsed Dunn in the race. Stubblefield’s son, Joshua, supported Simon, as did Stubblefield’s brother, Jimmy.

The special election schedule was set when Gov. Sarah Sanders was forced by a court order to hold an election before the start of the Arkansas Legislature’s fiscal session, which begins April 8. Pre-session budget hearings begin March 4.

A proposed state prison is the hot topic in the race. Community and legislative leaders have pushed back against a plan by Sanders and the Arkansas Department of Corrections to build a large state prison north of Charleston in Franklin County. Sanders announced Oct. 31, 2024, that the state had purchased land north of Charleston to build the prison. The cost for the 815 acres was $2.9 million.

The Arkansas Senate failed to advance a funding bill for a new state prison late in the recent regular session. The $750 million funding measure failed five times to get a 75% vote from senators.