Arkansas Democrats Vie for Governor Nomination

Candidates focus on school vouchers, economic development, and investing in Arkansans

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Sen. Fred Love and Supha Xayprasith-Mays, the two Democratic candidates seeking the Arkansas governor nomination, are prioritizing issues like the state's school voucher program, supporting economic development, and investing in Arkansans. Love wants to eliminate the voucher program, while Xayprasith-Mays would review it. Both candidates also want to provide free lunch to all students and expand economic opportunities beyond the state's most populous areas.

Why it matters

The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is seeking a second term. If elected, Love or Xayprasith-Mays would become the first minority candidate to hold the office and the state's first Democratic governor in over a decade.

The details

Love, a term-limited lawmaker, and Xayprasith-Mays, a Bentonville businesswoman, are hoping to challenge Sanders, who has amassed over $4.2 million for her reelection campaign. Love and Xayprasith-Mays have about $3,000 and $2,200, respectively. The Democrat and Republican nominees will also face a Libertarian candidate.

  • Early voting begins on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.
  • Election Day is March 3, 2026.

The players

Sen. Fred Love

A term-limited lawmaker from Mabelvale who has served in the Arkansas Legislature since 2011.

Supha Xayprasith-Mays

A Bentonville businesswoman who ran an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2022.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The incumbent Republican governor who is seeking a second term and is a national figure from her time as White House press secretary under President Donald Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Public tax money should never go to a private school nothing against the private school, but if you decide to use them, you should pay for them.”

— Supha Xayprasith-Mays (The Arkansas Advocate)

“We need to stop investing in things that don't yield us anything and invest in our people.”

— Sen. Fred Love (The Arkansas Advocate)

What’s next

The winner of the Democratic primary will face incumbent Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in the general election on November 5, 2026.

The takeaway

The Democratic primary race in Arkansas highlights the ongoing debate over the state's school voucher program and the candidates' differing visions for investing in public education, economic development, and the well-being of all Arkansans.