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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Arkansas Voters to Choose Nominees in Primaries
Republicans expected to dominate in November, but Democrats see opportunities in Pulaski County
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Arkansas voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to choose nominees for a full slate of federal, state and local offices in primary elections. The winners will face off in November's midterm elections, with Republicans favored to maintain their dominance in the state but Democrats hoping to make gains in Pulaski County, home to Little Rock.
Why it matters
Arkansas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2010, and Republicans currently hold all four U.S. House seats and lopsided majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. However, Pulaski County, the state's most populous and Democratic-leaning area, could play a key role in Democratic primaries.
The details
In the Republican U.S. Senate primary, incumbent Tom Cotton faces two challengers. The Democratic nominee will be either Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar or farmer and small business owner Hallie Shoffner. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running unopposed in her primary as she seeks a second term. Other statewide Republican incumbents, including the lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor and treasurer, also face no primary challengers. On the Democratic side, state Sen. Fred Love and magazine publisher Supha Xayprasith-Mays are seeking the nomination to challenge Sanders in November.
- Polls close at 7:30 p.m. local time, which is 8:30 p.m. ET.
- The AP will provide vote results and declare winners in contested primaries for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House Districts 2 and 4, secretary of state, commissioner of state lands, state Senate and state House, as well as for a nonpartisan state Supreme Court seat and special elections for state Senate District 26 and state House District 70.
- As of Tuesday, there will be 245 days until the 2026 midterm elections.
The players
Tom Cotton
Republican U.S. Senator from Arkansas who is seeking a third term.
Ethan Dunbar
Lewisville Mayor running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Hallie Shoffner
Farmer and small business owner running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Republican Governor of Arkansas who is seeking a second term.
Fred Love
State Senator running for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
Supha Xayprasith-Mays
Magazine publisher running for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
