Legislative Races Taking Shape

With the November 2012 elections 15 months away, it is still very early in the process. But with the new legislative maps finalized last week by the Board of Approtionment, some of the races are beginning to take shape.  I would expect this to pick up in August and even more so in September.  We will do our best to keep up with all the developments and would ask anyone running to drop a line to either myself – [email protected] – or one of the members of the Talk Business team – Roby Brock or Michael Cook.

While certainly not exhaustive, here is a taste of some the latest developments.

Just west of Little Rock and Conway, Senate District 15 could be an active open district.  This one is largely made up of the area previously represented by Sen. Jason Rapert who was drawn into Conway’s Senate District 35.  Unless he moves back into the district, it will be an open one with possibly a hotly-contested primary and a general election.  Term-limited Republican Rep. Ed Garner indicated in a Facebook post this weekend that he is interested in running and has formed a campaign committee.  In addition, the Tolbert Report has learned that Republican Rep. David Sanders is planning to move into an area where House District 31 and Senate District 15 overlap.  If the district is open, I would look for him to give the race serious consideration. On the Democratic side, someone reportedly ran a poll with former Rep. Johnny Hoyt’s name tied to it.  Hoyt was defeated in this district by Sen. Rapert in 2010. (UPDATE – Sen. Rapert posts via Facebook that he will run in distict 35 – Conway.)

In Little Rock’s House District 33, former Arkansas Times associate editor Warwick Sabin let me know that he plans to run for the seat opened up by term-limited Rep. Kathy Webb.  This Heights House district is known as one of the most progressive districts in the state so look for the Democratic nominee to probably hold this one.

Over in Fort Smith, a primary is also likely brewing in the district held by Republican Sen. Bruce Holland. Much to his displeasure, former Rep. Rick Green was drawn into the same district as Holland.  Green had hoped to run in the district just to the north of Fort Smith currently held by term-limited Republican Sen. Ruth Whitaker; however, it appears Green will still run even if it means challenging an incumbent.  There is also talk that Republican Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh could get in this race as well.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Bill Pritchard from Elkins will also likely face a primary challenge from term-limited Rep. Jon Woods of Springdale.  Woods told the Tolbert Report last month that he is seriously looking at this race and will be making a decision soon.

In south Arkansas, former Democratic Rep. Bruce Maloch from Magnolia plans to run for the seat left open by term-limited Sen. Percy Malone.  A couple of Republician challengers in this district are also weighing a run for U.S. Congress – former Republican nominee Beth Anne Rankin and Rep. Lane Jean both of Magnolia.  If I had to guess, I would say it is more likely Rankin runs for Congress and Jean runs for the state senate but neither have made a final decision.

What other potentially big races are brewing? Let us know! 

Noted – Michael Tilley from The City Wire reports that Republican Rep. Denny Altes of Fort Smith will also have a primary.  Area businessman Matt Pitsch has announced he plans to challenge him.  Altes has been in the legislature since a special election 1999, serving two terms (max) in the Senate and two and half terms in the House.  This means 2012 would elect him to his final term before term limit kick in.  On course, it could be one of those years when the new comers have the advantage.