Arkansas voters elect Democratic challengers, pass local issues
By Worth Sparkman
Published on March 4, 2026.
Arkansas voters have elected Democratic challengers to Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton and Democrat Hallie Shoffner on the November ballot for the US Senate seat in Arkansas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders will also have a Democratic challenger in the general election. State Rep. Austin McCollum (R-Bentonville) could face independent candidate Taylor Sizemore after winning about 64% of the vote in the Republican primary, defeating Justice of the Peace Carrie Perrien Smith. The Republican nomination for Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins will go to a runoff after no one secured enough votes to win. Fayetteville voters passed all nine bond issue questions for a total of $375.5 million, supporting projects including fire department funding, water and wastewater work, a new aquatic center with year-round swimming, and a millage rate increase.
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