Caldwell, Hollowell reelected to Legislature
A pair of incumbents were reelected to the state Legislature on Tuesday.
District 10 Sen. Ronald Caldwell and District 37 State Rep. Steve Hollowell were able to hold on to their seats during Tuesday’s election.
According to Caldwell, the expectation that people have out of elected officials has changed over the last decade or two.
"I am thankful that the race is over," said Caldwell. "The race turned out pretty much how we expected it to turn out – pretty much down party lines. Nothing out of the ordinary came about. It seemed that the further south and west I went, through Prairie and Arkansas counties, the percentage got higher. The three main population centers in my district are Wynne, Newport and Stuttgart."
"I actually don't have the city of Forrest City. I have the outskirts of Forrest City and north and western St. Francis County," continued Caldwell. "When I ran 10 years ago, I lost Lee, St. Francis, Monroe, Woodruff and Jackson counties. This time, I won them all very handily. I think the expectations that people have out of elected officials have changed. Working class people who live in these counties have a little different expectation than the people who live in the suburban parts of the cities. I am very pleased and very thankful of the voters’ support during this election."
Caldwell said that this will be his fourth term, although it may be a two-year or a four-year term.
"This will be my fourth term," said Caldwell. "I have run two four-year terms and one two-year term. Because of the redistricting, all senators had to run. Tomorrow, when we have our organizational meetings, we will draw for twoyear or four-year terms. It will be my fourth term, but I do not know yet whether it will be a two-year term or a four-year term. Under
the law that I was elected under, I can run four, four-year terms, which means if I draw a two-year term, it does not count against my term limits. Again, I am 71 years old and I don't know that 10 years from now I will want to be in the Senate. Although Senator Jane English out of Little Rock just ran and she is about 82 years old and just got reelected. So I am not the oldest one over there."
Hollowell said he plans to continue running for office following this new term, saying he will continue to run as long as he can.
"It seemed like it turned out pretty well," said Hollowell. "I met a lot of new people in the areas that I took in, and I just would like to thank the voters who came out to vote for me. This will make a fourth term for me. We have twoyear terms and we can serve a total of eight terms. I plan to continue to run for this office following this term. As long as I can help people, I will continue to run for office as long as I can."
Hollowell said that at this time, he doesn't have any bills to take before the Legislature.
"I do not have anything specific right now to present during the next session," said Hollowell. "Education and other things in the district are bound to come up, but at this time, I do not have anything to take before the session."