State Senator Kim Hammer wins Republican runoff for Secretary of State

Hammer defeated challenger in closely watched race for Arkansas's top election official

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:15pm

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State Senator Kim Hammer has won the Republican primary runoff election for Arkansas Secretary of State, defeating a challenger in a closely watched race for the state's top election administration role.

Why it matters

The Secretary of State position oversees elections, voter registration, and other key functions related to the democratic process in Arkansas. Hammer's victory in the Republican primary sets him up to potentially become the state's next top election official.

The details

Hammer, a two-term state senator, won the Republican runoff with 52% of the vote, defeating a challenger who had questioned the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. The race was seen as a test of Republican voters' views on election security and administration in the wake of the 2020 election cycle.

  • The Republican primary runoff election was held on March 31, 2026.

The players

Kim Hammer

A two-term Arkansas state senator who won the Republican primary runoff for Secretary of State.

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What they’re saying

“Voters have spoken, and I'm honored to be their choice as the next Secretary of State. I'll work hard to protect the integrity of Arkansas elections and ensure all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote.”

— Kim Hammer, Republican nominee for Arkansas Secretary of State

What’s next

Hammer will face the Democratic nominee in the general election on November 4, 2026. The winner will be sworn in as Arkansas Secretary of State on January 1, 2027.

The takeaway

Hammer's victory in the Republican primary signals that Arkansas GOP voters are looking for a Secretary of State candidate focused on election integrity, though his opponent's claims of widespread fraud in 2020 were not substantiated. The general election will be a key test of the state's political dynamics around voting issues.