Let’s meet the Republicans seeking to be Arkansas’ next secretary of state: Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton; Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison; and Bryan Norris.
The office administers elections, maintains the Capitol, and administers business filings. Current Secretary of State Cole Jester was appointed by Gov. Sarah Sanders and is therefore ineligible to run. The primary elections are March 3. Continue reading
Voters in the March 3 primaries will select the next Arkansas Supreme Court Justice, Position 3. Let’s meet the candidates, Justice Nick Bronni and attorney John Adams. Continue reading
By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.
School board races aren’t the highest profile ones in a particular election, but they are important. This year, all of the contested ones across Arkansas will occur in the March 3 primaries.
That’s a change from how it’s been previously, when school districts have had the option of holding their elections in either the party primaries or the November general election. Lawmakers removed that option during last year’s legislative session.
For many years before that, school board members were elected in September school elections. Voter turnouts then often were extremely low.
Why should voters care about school board elections? What do school board members do, and what are their powers and limitations? Continue reading
By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.
The latest campaign finance news isn’t surprising in that Republican incumbents for the state’s high-profile offices have lots of money in the bank. Meanwhile, at least a couple of Democrats look like they can raise enough money at least to run a credible campaign.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ campaign raised $1 million during the third quarter, has raised more than $6 million total, and had $5.5 million in cash on hand as of Sept. 30.
In contrast, the only Democrat to file a report, state Sen. Fred Love of Mabelvale, had raised $43,600 total so far and had $30,000 cash on hand.
The filing period runs from noon Nov. 3 until noon Nov. 11. If other credible Democrats plan to enter the race, they have until then to do so. Continue reading
By Steve Brawner, © 2025 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.
The most intriguing Arkansas political race in next March’s primary is the one in state Senate District 28. For the third straight election, a King faces a Ballinger, albeit a different one this time.
Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, faces a challenge from Bobby Ballinger Jr. of St. Paul to represent the northwest Arkansas district. It includes all of Carroll and Madison Counties and parts of Boone, Newton, Johnson and Franklin Counties. Harrison and Eureka Springs are among the district’s biggest cities.
The two families have a political history. Continue reading