Congratulations Voters – Runoff Elections

The runoff elections for several seats in the House of Representatives was held on March 31. The runoff elections were for their party’s nomination.

Turnout for runoff elections are always low but with the COVID-19 pandemic no one knew what voters would do.  In Craighead County some voters were also affected by the recent tornado that ripped a path of destruction through Jonesboro and nearby areas.

Everyone who voted (for either candidate) deserves praise for showing up and voting in person or going to the time and trouble to vote by absentee ballot.

Below are unofficial results.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 90 (REPUBLICAN)

This runoff was for the Republican nomination. The race was in Benton County and was won by Kendon Underwood. This was the only race in which an incumbent had been forced into a runoff. Incumbent Rep. Jana Della Rosa lost her bid for re-nomination. Normally incumbents have an advantage in winning their races, but Della Rosa was not able to overcome her record of voting for taxes in 2019 and perhaps more importantly her opposition to school choice. The voter turnout in this race was far higher than in the other runoff elections.

Underwood will face Democrat Kelly Ross Kraut in November.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 91 (REPUBLICAN)

This was another Benton County runoff. Delia Haak won the Republican nomination.

Haak will face Democrat Nick Jones in November.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 53 (REPUBLICAN)

This was a Craighead County race where the recent tornado disrupted many lives.  Mayor Jon Milligan won the Republican nomination. You may recall a few months ago the controversy when a supporter of Dr. Cole Peck offered Mayor Milligan incentives to not run for the office and Milligan refused.  Then the event was explained away as a joke by the Peck supporter. Two years ago Dr. Peck lost a race for the same district against Representative Dan Sullivan.

Mayor Milligan will face Democrat Shawn Only in November.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 34 (DEMOCRAT)

This runoff was in Pulaski County. With 100% of the precincts reporting Joy C. Springer appears to have won the Democrat nomination; however, Springer only has a 1 vote lead and a recount would seem likely.

The winner of the Democrat nomination will face independent candidate Roderick Talley in November.

Congratulations to the winners and congratulations to everyone who cast their vote during this difficult time.