Feb. 18, 2020
By Steve Brawner
© 2020 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.
Early voting has begun in Arkansas’ March 3 primary elections, which feature a Democratic presidential race, an Arkansas Supreme Court race, and not much else.
Eighteen presidential candidates are on the Democratic ballot, but most have suspended their campaigns. If former Vice President Joe Biden doesn’t win South Carolina Feb. 29, then by March 3 the field of serious contenders may have winnowed to five: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Thirteen other states along with Arkansas vote March 3. The next day, it could be down to Sanders and Bloomberg. Sanders has a base of supporters committed to his socialist candidacy. He spoke to a crowd of 17,000 in Washington state Monday. That’s a Trump-like number. Bloomberg has a base of billions of dollars and the increasing attention of traditional Democrats who fear what Sanders will do to their party if he’s the nominee.
On the Republican side, two other names are on the ballot alongside President Trump’s. Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld ran for vice president in 2016 as a Libertarian and hoped this year to position himself as some kind of return to post-Trump Republican normalcy. That ain’t happening, at least not this year. Rocky De La Fuente is also on the ballot, but he was never a serious candidate and has dropped out.
In Arkansas, nonpartisan judicial races occur alongside the party primaries. The only contest on every Arkansan’s ballot is the Supreme Court race pitting Circuit Judge Morgan “Chip” Welch against Workers’ Compensation Commission Chief Law Judge Barbara Webb. Both describe themselves as “strict constructionists” who interpret the Constitution as it’s written. The races are nonpartisan, but Webb has been getting support from Republicans, and her husband is the state Republican Party chairman. Welch is a former Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association president. He’s getting a lot of financial support from attorneys, while the state Chamber of Commerce held a fundraiser for her. He’s a judge, while she’s a former prosecutor. They both have extensive private practice experience.
Glean what you will.
Elsewhere, none of the state’s Republican congressmen face a primary opponent, and none of the statewide officers are up for re-election.
At the state legislative level, 17 of the 35 state senators are up for re-election this year, but only three face a primary opponent. In Jonesboro, Sen. John Cooper is being challenged by Rep. Dan Sullivan. That’s a hot race featuring two Republican legislators. Six years ago, Cooper beat Sullivan in a runoff by 67 votes. In Pine Bluff, Sen. Stephanie Flowers, who gained some internet fame last year letting loose in a debate about guns, is being challenged by Efrem Elliott. In Senate District 15 covering Hot Spring County and parts of Saline, Grant and Garland Counties, Sen. Alan Clark faces former Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Jeff Crow.
Two other Senate races feature challengers competing for the chance to oppose an incumbent.
Finally, only 18 of the 100 state House seats have contested primaries, as listed by Talk Business & Politics. Nine are for seats where the incumbent isn’t seeking re-election. There are only six races where someone challenged an incumbent in their own party.
November’s general election will be more interesting, though not in the presidential race. Trump will win Arkansas. Sen. Tom Cotton and three of the state’s four U.S. representatives face challengers, but all of them should be re-elected. Rep. French Hill will have to sweat some against state Sen. Joyce Elliott. There will be eight contested state Senate races and 46 contested House races, including eight races where the only challengers are Libertarians and independents.
Basically, if you’re an incumbent, you’re pretty safe. In fact, there’s a good chance you won’t even draw an opponent.
Probably the November contests to watch will be the ballot issues. Voters lately have raised the minimum wage and legalized medical marijuana and casino gambling. This election, the Legislature sent to voters proposals to permanently extend a half-cent sales tax for highways, change term limits, and make it harder to amend the state Constitution. Citizens are circulating petitions for others.
We’ll discuss those in depth when we have more space and when we know exactly what they are. For now, let’s worry about the March races – the presidential, and the few others.
Steve Brawner is a syndicated columnist in Arkansas. Email him at brawnersteve@mac.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stevebrawner.