Election Season Continues…

The 2024 General Election had a major Republican sweep in the National Election. 

• Arkansas remained red, and a few local elections resulted in a runoff Dec. 3.

National Election: 

• President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House, winning nearly 312 electoral votes, well over the required 270. In his quest to return to the White House, President Trump and his campaign were able to flip six of the swing state, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Nevada. He maintained North Carolina, who also went for him in the 2020 election. 
• The Senate was able to gain 4 Republican seats, which ultimately resulted in Republicans gaining control of the Senate. Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Montana all went for the Republican candidate.
• The House still has some unresolved races; however, Republicans are also favored to maintained control in the House as well. Though Democrats were able to flip 6 seats, the Republican party was able to gain 7 with a few races still being determined. 

Looking ahead:

• 11: First, the State’s Safe Harbor Deadline on Dec. 11 to resolve any disputes and choose electors to be accepted by Congress.
• 17: The Electoral College will then meet on Dec. 17.
• 25: On December 25^th, all states must have submitted their certified electoral college votes.
• 6: On January 6^th, the Electoral College votes will be certified.
• 20: And on January 20^ththe existing Presidential Term will end, and the incoming President will be inaugurated.

State Elections: 

State Senate: Though not all our State Senate seats were up for re-election due to them being on a 4-year cycle, quite a few in NWA were.

• Each incumbent that sought re-election won back their seat for the State Senate.

State House seats were up for re-election due to them being on a 2-year cycle. The majority of incumbents won back their seat with the exception of two open seats, and one seat flip. 

• Representative Delia Haak (District 17 – Siloam Springs) and Representative Grant Hodges (District 14 - Centerton) did not seek re-election.
• Representative-Elect Randy Torres for District 17 and Representative – Elect Nick Burkes for District 14 each won those seats.
• The seat flip occurred in Springdale, where Representative-Elect Diana Gonzalez Worthen won the seat for District 9.

State Issues: Though three issues were on this year’s ballot, only Issue 1 and Issue 2 had their votes counted.

• Issue 1, pertaining to extended lottery proceeds to fund scholarships to vocational & technical schools. It passed with an overwhelming majority of 90% of Arkansas Voters approving the measure.
• Issue 2 also passed but with much less of a majority at 56% of the vote. Issue 2 removes the casino license required in Pope County and ensures that any new casinos will have to be approved by local voters.

Local Elections: All incumbents for the Justice of the Peace seats in Benton County were won by the incumbent, the only open Justice of the Peace seat was for District 4 (Rogers), the seat was won by Michael Miller.

Runoff Elections: We had quite a shake up with many city races that ultimately resulted in a few runoffs Dec. 3.

Rogers: The City of Rogers had five major races including four city council seats and a mayor’s race.

• Mayor Greg Hines was challenged by Justice of the Peace, Chris Latimer. Ultimately Mayor Hines came out on top by just 438 votes.
• Four City Council seats were challenged this election cycle including Position 2 for Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4.
  • Council Member Betsy Reithemeyerwas challenged by Chris Collins, she won her seat with 52.25% of the vote.
  • Council Member Roger Surly was challenged by Cyndall Hill, and he won 53.97% of the vote.  
  • Council MemberMarge Wolf was challenged by Colin Cope and Carissa Cummings. Though Council Member Wolf did win 47.84% of the vote, she did not have 20% more votes than her second-place opponent so she is in a run off with Carissa Cummings.
  • Ward 3, Position 2 is an open seat for Rogers City Council, the seat is headed for a runoff between Hayes Minor and Alicia Hayes.

Lowell: The City of Lowell had four City Council races: Ward 1, Position 1, Ward 2, Position 1, Ward 3, Position 1, and Ward 4, Position 1.

• Incumbent Bill Adams was challenged by Emilee Reach. Emilee won the seat with 57.79% of the vote.
• Incumbent Roy Brunson was challenged by Rodney Judy, Council Member Brunson won back his seat with 52.91% of the vote.
• Council Member Kendall Stucki did not seek re-election, Scott Mendham and Andrew McIndoe ran for the seat with Scott Mendham coming out on top with 53.63% of the vote.
• Incumbent Steve Whitehead was challenged by Dwayne Snyder. He ultimately won back his seat with 63.36% of the vote.

Bentonville: The City of Bentonville had four major races: Mayor, City Attorney, Council Member Ward 3, Position 2, and Council Member Ward 4, Position 2.

• Mayor Stephanie Orman was challenged by Steve Galen. She ultimately came out on top with 54.05% of the vote.
• The City Attorney race was open, and Nick Henry came out with 66.70% of the vote.
• Council Member Bill Burckart was challenged by Sara Folkins, and won back his seat by 56.11% of the vote.
• Council Member Holly Hook also had her seat challenged but by Jocelyn Lampkin. She won her seat by 57.59% of the vote.