Cotton, Shoffner set for U.S. Senate showdown; Love wins nomination to challenge Gov. Sanders
by March 3, 2026 11:42 pm 607 views
Republicans and Democrats chose their party nominees for the top of the ticket on Tuesday (March 3) as Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., easily overcame two GOP challengers and Democrats Hallie Shoffner and Sen. Fred Love, D-Little Rock, earned berths as their party’s picks for U.S. Senate and governor.
Cotton defeated Republican challengers Micah Ashby and Jeb Little with 82% of the vote. Hallie Shoffner bested her Democratic primary opponent, Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar, by a 77%-23% margin.
Love won overwhelmingly in the primary for governor over Supha Xayprasith-Mays 81.5%-18.5%. Love will face Gov. Sarah Sanders, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, this fall. Colt Shelby, a Libertarian candidate, will also be on the ballot in the governor’s race.
In the 2nd District congressional race, U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, won 76%-24% over challenger Chase McDowell. He will face Democratic congressional winner Chris Jones, who defeated his primary opponent, Zack Huffman, 92%-8%.
In the 4th District congressional race, Democrat James “Rus” Russell, III was leading Steven Layne O’Donnell by a 52%-48% margin for the right to compete in the general election against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs.
There will be a runoff for Arkansas Secretary of State, but it is not certain who the two runoff contenders may be. Late Tuesday night, Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, was leading Bryan Norris and Cathy Hardin Harrison, but all candidates were hovering between 32%-34% of the vote. The runoff will be in three weeks on Tuesday, March 31. The eventual winner will face Democrat Kelly Grappe and Libertarian Michael Pakko this fall.
In another statewide Republican primary, Secretary of State Cole Jester defeated Christian Olson by 72%-28%. Jester will face Libertarian Christopher Olson in the general election.
There was one non-partisan statewide judicial race on the ballot for Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, Position 3. Justice Nick Bronni was leading John Adams by a 55%-45% margin with about 80% of precincts reporting.