The 2022 Midterm Elections have had record turnout across the United States, including here in Arkansas. The state as a whole had an increase of ballots cast by over 15,000, and Benton County had an increase of over 13,000 ballots cast at the polls. There were many shifts on the federal level, and the final counts to determine who will be taking charge in Washington came in shortly after election day. Continue reading to see how our region voted and what to expect moving forward.

Making History: In Arkansas we did not see any shift in our federal delegation, we did add some new representation on the state level, and we will be having a runoff in a local election. Arkansas even set history for the state by electing Sarah Huckabee Sanders as its first woman Governor.

Federal Delegation:

US Senate:

Incumbent – Senator John Boozman (R) – 65.85%

Natalie James (D) – 30.95%

Kenneth Cates (L) – 3.19%

Dig Deeper: The US Senate race was a three-way race, with Senator John Boozman winning re-election against Democratic Challenger Natalie James and Libertarian Kenneth Cates. Senator Boozman has served as a US Senator for the State of Arkansas since 2011. He sits on four committees: Veterans Affairs, Environment and Public Works, Appropriations, and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Senator Boozman is the current Ranking Member for the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

US Congress – District 3:

Incumbent – Congressman Steve Womack (R)– 63.71%

Lauren Mallett-Hays (D) – 32.87%

Michael J. Kalagias (L) – 3.42%

Dig Deeper: Congressman Steve Womack won a seventh term in a three-way race, defeating Lauren Mallet-Hays and Michael Kalagias. Congressman Womack has served in the US House since 2011, and currently sits on one committee and three subcommittees: Appropriations, Financial Services and General Government, Defense, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. He previously served as the Ranking Member for the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee and due to the outcome of the midterms should be changing to Chair.  

Constitutional Offices:

Governor:

Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) – 63.08%

Chris Jones (D) – 35.07%

Ricky Dale Harrington, Jr. – 1.84%

Dig Deeper: Sarah Huckabee Sanders became Governor-Elect on November 8, and the first women ever to be elected to the position in the history of the state. She won the three-way race, defeating Chris Jones and Ricky Dale Harrington who were also vying for the position. Sanders has already began preparing to take on the position and announced her transition team on November 10. Sanders will be officially sworn in as Governor in early January.

Other Notable Races:

Lieutenant Governor:

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) – 64.32%

Kelly Ross Krout (D) – 31.98%

Frank Gilbert (L) – 3.69%

Attorney General:

Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin (R) – 67.74%

Jesse Gibson (D) – 32.26%

Secretary of State:

Secretary of State John Thurston (R) – 67.17%

Anna Beth Gorman (D) – 32.83%

Auditor of State:

Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan (R) – 66.92%

Diamond Arnold-Johnson (D) – 28.83%

Simeon Snow (L) – 4.25%

Commissioner of State Lands:

Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land (R) – 68.90%

Darlene Goldi Gaines (D) – 31.10%

State Treasurer:

State Representative Mark Lowery (R) – 66.40%

Pam Whitaker (D) – 33.60%

State Legislators NWA:

NWA Region

State Senate:

District 30 – Fayetteville:

Senator Greg Leding (D) – 100% - Unopposed

District 31 – Springdale:

Representative Clint Penzo (R) – 60.16%

Lisa Parks (D) – 39.84%

District 34 – Bella Vista/Bentonville:

Representative Jim Dotson (R) – 69.82%

J.P. DeVilliers (D) – 30.18%

District 35 – Siloam Springs:

Tyler Dees (R)- 73.67%

Doug Peterson (L) – 26.33%

State Representative:

District 6 – Eureka Springs:

Representative Harlan Breaux (R) – 65.47%

Markeeta Tucker (D) – 28.56%

Dakota Logan (L) - 5.97%

District 9 – Springdale:

DeAnna Hodges (R) – 50%

Diana Gonzales Worthen (D) – 46.19%

Steven Stilling (L) – 3.81%

District 10 – Bentonville:

Mindy McAlindon (R) – 56.31%

Kate Schaffer (D) – 43.69%

District 12 – Siloam Springs:

Hope Hendren Duke (R) – 76.61%

Michael Gill (L) – 23.39%

District 14 – Centerton:

Grant Hodges (R) – 63.33%

Brian Eaton (D) – 36.67%

District 17 – Siloam Springs:

Representative Delia Haak (R) – 100%

District 18 – Springdale:

Representative Robin Lundstrum (R) – 62.33%

Monique Jones (D) – 37.67%

District 19 – Springdale:

Steve Unger (R) – 53.87%

Paula Irwin (D) – 46.13%

District 20 – Fayetteville:

Representative Denise Garner (D) – 100%

District 21 – Fayetteville:

Representative Nicole Clowney (D) – 100%

District 22 – Fayetteville:

Representative David Whitaker (D) – 52.49%

Brian Hester (R) – 47.51%

Rogers-Lowell Area State Representation:

State Senate:

District 32 – Rogers:

Representative Josh Bryant (R) – 100%

Josh Bryant is the incoming State Senator for District 32, that was formally held by Senator Cecile Bledsoe.

District 33 – Rogers/Cave Springs:

State Senator Bart Hester (R) – 100%

Senator Hester is the incoming President Pro Tempore of the Senate for the next two years.

State House:

District 7 – Rogers:

Brit McKenzie (R) – 100%

Brit McKenzie is the incoming State Representative for District 7 previously held by Josh Bryant.

District 8 – Pea Ridge:

Representative Austin McCollum (R) – 100%

District 16 – Cave Springs:

Representative Kendon Underwood (R) – 100%

District 11 – Lowell/Springdale:

Rebecca Burkes (R) – 61.02%

Rey Hernandez (D) – 38.98%

Rebecca Burkes is the incoming Representative for District 11.

District 13 – Rogers/Bentonville:

Scott Richardson (R) – 55.57%

Jen Standerfer (D) – 44.43%

Scott Richardson is the incoming Representative for District 13.

District 15 – Rogers:

State Representative John Carr (R) – 58.85%

Rachel Cox (D) – 41.15%

Local Delegation (Rogers/Lowell):

Mayor of Lowell:

Mayor Chris Moore – 62.64%

Rodney Judy – 37.36%

City Clerk of Lowell:

Liz Estes – unopposed – 100%

Council Member Ward 1 Position 2 Lowell:

Adrian Flores – 53.80 %

Aaron Richard – 46.20%

Council Member Ward 4 Position 2 Lowell:

Councilwoman Lisa DeGifford – 62.03%

Dwayne Snyder – 37.97%

Council Member Ward 3 Position 1 Rogers:

Councilman W. Clay Kendall – 37.57%

Rachel Crawford – 36.75%

Trey Weaver – 13.49%

Vonnice J Boone – 12.20%

The Council Member Ward 3, Position 1 for Rogers will be having a runoff between sitting Councilman Clay Kendall and Rachel Crawford on December 6.

Council Member Ward 4 Position 1 Rogers:

Councilmember Barney Hayes – 74.01 %

Richard Labit – 25.99%

State and Local Issues:

State:

Issue 1: A Constitutional Amendment to Allow the General Assembly to Convene in Extraordinary Session

Against – 60.91%

For – 39.09%

Issue 2: A Constitutional Amendment to Reform Constitutional Amendments

Against – 59.13%

For – 40.87%

Issue 3: Arkansas Religious Freedom Act

Against – 50.43%

For – 49.57%

Issue 4: Authorize Consumption of Cannabis

Against – 56.27%

For – 43.73%

Local:

Jail Facilities Bonds and 0.125% Sales and Use Tax:

Against – 63.40%

For – 36.60%

0.25% Sales and Use Tax for Jail and Law Enforcement Purposes

Against – 62.45%

For – 37.55%

Sunday Alcohol Sales Rogers:

For – 70.83%

Against – 29.17%