Category Archives: Politics

Registered Democrats can’t vote in GOP primaries, but they can change at the polls

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By Steve Brawner, © 2026 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

This year’s open primary elections in Arkansas will be a little more closed, but only to Democrats seeking to vote in the Republican primary.

Traditionally, every Arkansas voter freely could vote in the Republican, Democratic, or a nonpartisan primary. The latter voters cast a shorter ballot featuring only judicial and other nonpartisan races.

Some Republicans in recent years have argued that their primary should be reserved for Republicans. They’ve argued that crossover Democrats could be affecting the results.

That’s a reasonable position. 

The counter argument is that less than 8.2% of the state’s voters are registered Republicans, so others would have to either declare their allegiance to a party or otherwise not vote. Not voting in the Republican primary in much of Arkansas means skipping the election that often matters the most. Continue reading →

Womack speaks in House while heart is at home

Steve WomackBy Steve Brawner, © 2026 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack spoke in the House of Representatives on Jan. 22 in support of a $1.2 trillion spending package he had helped create. His voice cracked twice, but only briefly and for a very good reason. Four days earlier, he had lost his wife.

Terri Womack, his wife of 41 years, had died on Jan. 18 at age 68.

The spending package passed the House with bipartisan support, 341-88. It would provide funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Continue reading →

Cole Jester vs. Christian Olson for land commissioner

The Arkansas land commissioner is so low profile that most voters probably don’t know who the current officeholder is or what he does.

The officeholder should be easy: Tommy Land is the current land commissioner. He’s term-limited. 

Running in the Republican primary to replace him are Secretary of State Cole Jester and Christian Olson. No Democrats filed. Continue reading →

Hammer vs. Harrison vs. Norris for SOS

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 →

Arkansas TV cuts ties with PBS, Big Bird; more local shows coming

By Steve Brawner, © 2026 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

Big Bird of “Sesame Street” fame will not be appearing on Arkansas public television broadcasts starting next July. Instead, the station will be offering a lot more local programming, such as a new show that will help families prepare healthy meals on a budget. 

The changes are coming because President Trump and Congress have cut all federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The CPB was granting $2.5 million to Arkansas TV – formerly Arkansas PBS – which was 20% of its budget. 

Arkansas TV then used that $2.5 million to pay its yearly dues to the Public Broadcasting System. PBS is the distributor of “Sesame Street,” Ken Burns’ historical documentaries, and other programming. 

Carlton Wing, Arkansas TV’s new executive director and CEO, explained the situation during a speech at the Rotary Club of Little Rock Jan. 13. His first day on the job was Sept. 30.

Continue reading →