State races finalize with filings, changes set for NWA
Forgive the “list” format, but at this juncture in the “new numbering” after the 2020 U.S. Census, it might be easier to follow.
As the “dust settled” from the state filings, there were a few surprises but some incumbents in the NWA area were gleeful, not catching an opponent. Some races will not be decided until November; at least four have Libertarian opponents along with Democratic and Republicans seeking these positions.
Area State House Seats:
• House Dist. 14 – Grant Hodges,
a former state Rep. of Rogers, now out of office, is running as a Republican against Democratic challenger Brian Eaton of Bentonville.
• House Dist. 15 – State Rep. John
P. Carr, a Republican from Rogers, is running against Rachel Cox, a Democrat, from Rogers.
• House Dist.16 – State Rep.
Kendon Underwood, a Republican of Cave Springs, is running unopposed.
• House Dist. 17 – State Rep. Delia Haak, a Republican, from
Centerton, is running unopposed.
• House Dist. 18 – State Rep. Robin Lundstrum, of Elm Springs, a Republican, is seeking re-election.
Her Democratic challengers are Monique Jones of Springdale and Hunter Vick of Springdale. The
Democrats will face off in the May primary to meet Lundstrum in the November General Election.
• House Dist. 19 – There is no incumbent in this race. Hunter Vick,
Paula Irwin, and Richard Billingsley, both Democrats will meet in the May primary with the winner facing Republican candidate Steve Unger in November.
• House Dist. 20 – State Rep. Denise Garner, a Democrat of Fayetteville, is seeking re-election. She is unopposed.
• House Dist. 21 – State Rep.
Nicole Clowney, a Democrat, of Fayetteville, is seeking re-election. She is unopposed.
• House Dist. 22 – State Rep. David Whitaker, a Democrat, is seek
ing re-election. He is challenged by Republicans Brian Hester of Fayetteville, who lost to Whitaker in the last election cycle, and Don E. McNaughton, also of Fayetteville, only one of whom will face Whitaker after the May primary election.
• House Dist. 23 – A four-person
field has developed with no in
cumbent in this district. There are
three Republicans, Bryan Suggs of
Fayetteville, Jim Wilson of Greenland and Kendra Moore of Lincoln; only one of this trio will advance to November, facing Libertarian
candidate Ryan Hanson.
• House Dist. 24 – State Rep.
Charlene Fite, a Republican from
Van Buren, will have Christie Robertson, of Alma, as a GOP opponent in the May Primary. There
is no Democratic candidate or Libertarian in this race.
State Senate Filings In NWA:
• State Senate District 28 – Lone Democratic challenger Jim Wallace of Eureka Springs will see who emerges from the field of five Republicans. Incumbent state
Senator Bob Ballinger of Hindsville is seeking re-election. He is
challenged by Republicans former state Senator Bryan B. King of
Green Forest, state Rep. Keith Slape
of Compton, Robert “Bob” Largent
of Harrison and Theodore (Ted) Walker of Huntsville.
• Senate District 29 – Two Republican candidates, Jim Petty of Van Buren and Warren Robertson of Alma, will face off in May. There
are no Democratic or Libertarian candidates filing.
• Senate District 30 – State Senator Greg Leding, a Democrat of
Fayetteville is seeking re-election.
He has no opposition.
• Senate District 31 – This is a
new district with a lone Democratic candidate, Lisa Parks of
Tontitown, who will in November
face the winner of a trio of Republicans,
state Rep. Clinton Penzo of
Tontitown, Andres Thompson of Springdale and Paul Colvin, Jr., of
Springdale.
• Senate Dist. 32 – Two Republicans, State Rep. Joshua Bryant of Rogers and Jim Tull of Rogers will face off in the May primary. There
is no opposition for November.
• Senate Dist. 33 – State Senator Bart Hester, a Republican from
Cave Springs, is seeking re-elec
tion. There is no opposition for
November.
• Senate Dist. 34 – A pair of Republicans, State Rep. Jim Dotson
of Bentonville and Mayor Peter
Christie of Bella Vista, will meet in May, the winner facing J. P. DeVillers, a Liberterian candidate from
Bella Vista in November.
• Senate District 35 – A trio of Republicans, State Rep. Gayla Hendren McKenzie of Gravette, Tyler Dees of Siloam Springs and Jeff Tennant of Gentry, will meet in the May primary. The winner will
advance to November, facing Doug
Peterson, of Gravette, a Libertarian.
Lots of races to watch and many new names to learn about on the campaign trail.