2024 Republican Primary Follow the Money — Election Preview – State House and Senate Races
The election results from the March 5, 2024, Republican Primary have been added for each contest that was analyzed with a Follow-the-Money pre-election report. Final fundraising numbers will be posted later this year. One election will have a runoff with no candidate receiving a majority of the votes – State House district 88 between Arnetta Bradford and Dolly Henley.
State Senate District 19—Northeast Arkansas
Senator Dave Wallace: 5,139 votes (73.69%)
Raised: $206,963.64
Spent: $114,535.41
Available: $160,706.00
Dr. Tommy Wagner: 1,835 votes (26.31%)
Raised: $179,004.00
Spent: $188.865.17
Available: $60,138.83
The most expensive primary election this year is in northeast Arkansas where incumbent Senator Dave Wallace faces a well-funded challenge from Dr. Tommy Wagner, a family practice doctor, economic developer, and agri-business owner. This district includes Mississippi County, Poinsett County, and eastern Craighead County. Both candidates have loaned significant funds to their respective campaigns with Wagner loaning $50,000 and Wallace loaning $40,000.
Sen. Wallace is backed strongly by large donations from special interest PACs in Little Rock. He also has strong donor support from individuals and farmers in the district. About half of Wallace’s donors are PACs and half from individuals. Wallace is endorsed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and has received a maximum donation from her PAC. He is also endorsed by Craighead County Judge Marvin Day, former Governor Mike Huckabee, National Federation of Independent Business Arkansas PAC, local state representative Dwight Tosh, Gun Owners of Arkansas, the NRA, and other government officials in the district and around the state. Sen. Wallace’s campaign consultant is Capitol Consulting Firm, a lobbying firm whose clients include a foreign pharmaceutical company, Airbnb, Palo Alto Networks, NWA Regional Airport, AR Beverage Association, Nabholz Construction, multiple senior/in-home healthcare service providers, the City of Springdale, Comcast, Blackrock, and a tobacco company.
Wallace has consistently ranked in the middle to the bottom among Republicans on the Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard and in 2023 ranked 16th with a score of 62%. Sen. Wallace is known for his kind demeanor and loyalty towards leadership and reliable votes when needed but faces criticism for being unable to comprehend or advocate on important issues. From his website, Sen. Wallace claims he is a defender of small business, protector of the 2nd amendment, pro law enforcement, for conservative budget restraint, and prioritizes economic development. Sen. Wallace claims that government spending and inflation are out of control.
Dr. Wagner entered the race early, raising significant funds and spending heavily. He has secured a lot of his donations from individuals funded from the healthcare industry. Wagner’s wife is a pharmacist. Wagner has also tapped significant funds from farmers and agricultural business interests from within the district. His fundraising comes from about 95% individuals and 5% PACs. According to his website, Dr. Wagner’s top issues are education, infrastructure, wildlife, border security, and crime. Dr. Wagner points to Mississippi county’s population decline as a need for more infrastructure spending or corporate welfare programs. Dr. Wagner is opposed to consolidation of shrinking schools and wants to find a better formula to fund teacher salaries. Dr. Wagner supports streamlining processes for immigrants wanting “to be here for the right reasons” and “crack down hard” on anyone trying to come in any other way.” He also supports the proposition of more resources and support for law enforcement with a connection between healthcare, education, and crime as key to improving areas of high crime. Wagner has hired/paid multiple campaign consultants from out of state, none of these appear to be lobbyists in Arkansas.
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State Senate District 3-Southwest Arkansas
Senator Steve Crowell 5,489 votes (71.40%)
Raised: $115,362.30
Spent: $51.815.51
Available: $89,036.54
Mark Silvey: 2,199 votes (28.60%)
Raised: $19,192.00
Spent: $17,058.79
Available: $2,133.21
First term incumbent state senator Steve Crowell of Magnolia, a high school football referee and owner of SL Crowell Properties, was able to avoid a re-match with former state senator Charles Beckham, whom Crowell narrowly defeated in the 2022 primary. Crowell did draw a primary challenge from Mark Silvey, a farmer and pastor, of Nevada County. This senate district includes Columbia County, Lafayette County, Nevada County, Clark County, most of Hempstead County, most of Pike County, and a small piece of Hot Spring County.
Like his first campaign, Sen. Crowell has been funded almost exclusively by Little Rock PACs, special interests, and others who benefit from government spending. Crowell has received max donations from Sarah Huckabee Sander’s PAC, Mike Huckabee’s PAC, the State Chamber PAC, Tim Griffin’s PAC, Bart Hester’s PAC, Senate Caucus PAC, Walmart PAC, DBH Management Consultants PACs, and large donations from most of the top Little Rock special interest PACs. Crowell has also received some donations from individuals within the district. Crowell’s campaign consultant is Chase Dugger, a lobbyist and one whose business model benefits from government’s special interests spending. His clients include teachers’ union favorite, Solution Tree; Cherokee Nation gambling; The Wine Institute—alcohol; Osage Creek Cultivation—marijuana; nursing home lobby, hospital lobby, electric cooperatives. Crowell is promoting his campaign as a proven conservative. Steve Crowell scored 62% and ranked 16th out of 35 in the state senate on the Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard. On his website, Sen. Crowell promises to protect the life of the unborn, fight for Arkansas’ agriculture industry, lower taxes for working families, address the mental health crisis, work to bring better-paying jobs to our region, and ensure we see our fair share of infrastructure and road improvements.
Mark Silvey has not been able to raise significant funds for his challenge to the incumbent Crowell. He has relied entirely on individual donors, including former state senator Charles Beckham. On his website, Silvey takes a dig at Crowell for taking donations from Democrats and big money corporate interests. Silvey promises he will not. He promises to be a consistent conservative and think of the rights of the people as his priority. His top issues are fulfilling the purpose of government (protecting rights), being a voice for the people, protecting life, protecting children, opposing vaccine mandates, restoring fiscal responsibility, renewing education, supporting law and order, responding to the crisis at the southern border, and supporting the Second Amendment. After government overreach during COVID, Mark has been active in government policy and elections and is endorsed by Re-Open Arkansas, a group against vaccine mandates and government shutdowns. He does not have a paid campaign consultant.
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State House District 88 — Southwest Arkansas
Arnetta Bradford 1,437 votes (47.24%) – Advances to Runoff
Raised: $9,600.00
Spent: $0.00
Available: $9,600.00
Robert Leslie Bradford: 231 votes (7.59%)
Raised: NO FILINGS
Spent: NO FILINGS
Available: NO FILINGS
Dolly Henley: 1,374 votes (45.17%) – Advances to Runoff
Raised: $77,650.00
Spent: $43,499.41
Available: $34,150.59
The current incumbent State Rep for District 88 is Danny Watson, who is not running for re-election. Dolly Henley, a lifelong government employee, and wife of Washington, Arkansas Mayor Paul Henley, is seeking another government job in running for State Representative. Arnetta Bradford, a small business owner of HeBrews Coffee in Hope and Nashville, is also seeking the Republican nomination. Robert Leslie Bradford, according to his website, has been a college football coach. The district includes Hempstead County and parts of Howard and Miller counties in southwest Arkansas.
Dolly Henley has raised an impressive amount of money from mostly a diverse group of individuals including former Democrat state senator Larry Teague, Democrat Nate Coulter, Mike Huckabee, and some from special interest and lobbyist PACs in Little Rock including the State Chamber, Bankers PAC, Impact Management PAC, DBH Management Consultants PAC, and a tax increase PAC. She is endorsed by some of the most liberal Republicans in the state legislature, including Carol Dalby, Jimmy Hickey, and DeAnne Vaught. Henley promotes herself as a Christian, conservative grandmother. A voter education group is educating voters in this district about Henley’s past Democrat voting record. Henley’s campaign consultant is Robert Coon through 50+1 Consulting. Coon is managing partner of the lobbyist firm Impact Management Group whose 49 clients include the teachers’ union favorite, Solution Tree; Cherokee Nation-gambling; Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport; many healthcare special interests, alcohol special interests, the City of Little Rock, Tyson Foods, AT&T, the State Chamber, hospitals, and themselves. Dolly promises on her website that she will fight every day to grow the economy, improve opportunities for kids, and make Arkansas better. Her campaign video promotes job and workforce training.
Arnetta Bradford, through Dec. 31, 2023, has a handful of donors, led by two max donations by the Sarah Huckabee Sanders PAC and small donations from Chase Dugger affiliated PACs. She is endorsed by the NRA. Mrs. Bradford has not yet filed a January or 10-day pre-election report. Arnetta promotes her experience as a youth ministry leader, board member of the Hope Chamber of Commerce and Hope Downtown Network, Farm Bureau’s LeadAR program member, and serving on the Arkansas Black History Commission (appointed by Sarah Huckabee Sanders). Her passions are education, healthcare, small businesses, and employee support. A small business owner in Hope and Nashville, Mrs. Bradford states that her Christian values shape her worldview and guide her in all aspects of her life. Her website issues include protect life of the unborn, utilize faith in God on every issue, support traditional family values, lower taxes and working families, expand educational opportunities, back law enforcement and first responders, defend 2nd amendment rights, and increase local entrepreneurship.
Robert “Robb” Leslie Bradford, according to his website, is a 29-year-old autistic person who has two college degrees and is a former college football coach. He says he will “help the people refresh the tree of liberty” as a state representative. He has no campaign finance filings to date online with the Secretary of State. His top issues are jobs, including trade schools, education, lowering prices on food and gas/essential, and accountability for the double standard of justice. He opposes abortion, wants to give tax incentives to big and small companies to raise wages, and amend the Learns Act involving special education.
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State House District 51 — Fort Smith area
Representative Cindy Crawford 2,742 votes (77.20%)
Raised: $36,630.00
Spent: $23,461.73
Available: $17,888.50
Jeff Burks: 810 votes (22.80%)
Raised: $2,270.00
Spent: $7,839.09
Available: $430.91
Incumbent State Representative Cindy Crawford, a former non-profit and corporate manager, is running for her fourth term in the Arkansas legislature and has drawn a primary opponent from Jeff Burks, who works in software. This district encompasses part of Sebastian County.
Rep. Crawford has raised money from a good mix of small and medium sized donors, a mix of smaller donations from Little Rock PACs including the State Chamber, AR trucking association, and the AR REALTORS PAC, and a max donation from Michael Morton, the nursing home owner and tort reform supporter. She is endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life and Gun Owners of Arkansas. Her campaign consultant is Gilmore/Davis Strategy Group, former Asa Hutchinson staff members and lobbyists. Their clients include educational nonprofits, Google, NextEra Energy, Good Day Farm–marijuana, healthcare special interests, Deloitte, Churchill Downs–gambling, AT&T, Arkansas Press Association, Albemarle Corporation, and themselves. According to her website, she has focused on the foster care crisis as a legislator, reuniting children with their parents. Rep. Crawford has been in the middle of the rankings of the Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecards, scoring 59% and ranking 33rd out of 100 this past session. Her top issues are “We the People”, protecting our Constitutional rights, protecting the Bill of Rights, keeping Arkansas #1 Pro Life state, empowering and restoring families, creating new jobs and job training, and supporting community development.
Jeff Burks has primarily self-funded his campaigning, loaning himself $6,000 with a handful of small dollar individual donors. According to his website his top issues are conservative values, technology/digital infrastructure, limited government, education reform with vocational training programs, supporting the military LEOs, EMTs, and firefighters, and lower taxes.
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State House District 83 — Benton/Saline County
Paul Childress 3,648 votes (71.29%)
Raised: $137,587.29
Spent: $40,549.77
Available: $102,316.90
Ken Yang: 1,469 votes (28.71%)
Raised: $20,308.82
Spent: $8,969.08
Available: $12,339.74
Incumbent State Representative Lanny Fite decided not to run for re-election, creating an open primary between Benton schools’ school board President, Paul Childress, and campaign consultant and former Family Council staffer, Ken Yang. This district includes part of Saline County.
Paul Childress has been a prolific fundraiser, outraising any other state house candidate this election cycle. Nearly all of his donations come from individuals, with a large number from those who benefit from governments’ education expenditures– donating large amounts. He has also more recently received donations from special interest Little Rock PACs including the State Chamber, wholesale beer distributors, and the tax increases for roads PAC. He is endorsed by the Arkansas State Farm PAC, the Arkansas Professional Firefighters Association, and Arkansas Right to Life. Childress’ campaign consultant is Chase Dugger, a lobbyist for government special interest groups. Dugger’s clients include teachers’ union favorite, Solution Tree, Cherokee Nation gambling, The Wine Institute–alcohol, Osage Creek Cultivation–marijuana, nursing home lobby, hospital lobby, electric cooperatives, and himself. Childress decided to run for state representative after education freedom school choice legislation was passed in 2023. His number one issue is education. He previously worked in government in Saline County law enforcement for ten years. According to his website, Mr. Childress believes all life, including the unborn, should be protected, Arkansas should continue phasing out the income tax, student and families deserve access to quality education, state surplus revenue should be returned to taxpayers, and our gun rights must be defended.
Ken Yang has been involved in Arkansas politics for many years, previously running for state auditor, and working as a lobbyist and policy expert for the social conservative, pro-life, and pro-family organization, Family Council. He has also been active in the Republican party, serving as chair of the Saline County Republican Committee and former President of the Arkansas Republican County Chairmen’s Association. He is endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life and multiple elected officials in and around Saline County. He is financially supported mostly by individuals, including trial lawyers opposed to tort reform. Mr. Yang has yet to file financial reports online for December, January, or the 10-day pre-election report. His campaign consultant is Gilmore/Davis Strategy group, former Asa Hutchinson staff members and lobbyists. Their clients include educational nonprofits, Google, NextEra Energy, Good Day Farm–marijuana, healthcare special interests, Deloitte, Churchill Downs– gambling, AT&T, Arkansas Press Association, Albemarle Corporation, and themselves. According to his website, Ken is a true conservative, 100% Pro-Life, Pro 2nd Amendment, defender of religious liberties, for lower taxes, for less government, and a proud supporter of law enforcement.
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State House District 41— North Central Arkansas
Alyssa Brown 3,949 votes (62.65%)
Raised: $40,085.00
Spent: $31,817.86
Available: $11,267.14
Jerry Holmes: 2,354 votes (37.35%)
Raised: $21,900.00
Spent: $15,964.18
Available: $12,935.82
Former Cleburne County Judge and Sheriff, Jerry Holmes, is facing off against political newcomer, Alyssa Brown, after incumbent Representative Josh Miller decided not to seek re-election. This district includes most of Cleburne County and Stone County.
Alyssa Brown is a political activist, most recently working on social conservative issues including pro-life and pro-family polices. She is financially supported by individuals and three max donations from PACs lead by Bart Hester, Crossland Construction/Red Iron Strategies, and Adrienne Woods. She is endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life, the NRA, and Mike Huckabee. According to her Facebook page, Alyssa is for lower taxes, 100% pro-life, honors and supports our veterans, pro-second amendment, for limited and accountable government. She opposes woke and leftist policies and will keep men out of women’s sports.
Elected as a Democrat before switching parties to Republican, Jerry Holmes has a long government career in Cleburne County as a former county judge and sheriff. He has a broad donor base from individuals in the district, including Little Rock special interest PACs, the State Chamber, and elected officials, State Senator John Payton, State Representative Josh Miller, and Land Commissioner Tommy Land. He has also loaned his campaign $7,000.00. He is endorsed by Arkansas Right to Life. According to his Facebook page Mr. Holmes will serve with honesty, integrity, and common sense. He has received a government paycheck for over 20 years for government service. According to a campaign mailer, Mr. Holmes is a conservative Christian who “understands the responsibilities that come with the job of serving the citizens and being accountable for their welfare.”
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State House District 35 — East Arkansas
Robert Thorne, Jr. 1,243 votes (94.10%)
Raised: $56,468.55
Spent: $36,585.74
Available: $28,000.81
Gary Tobar 78 votes (5.90%)
Raised: NO FILINGS
Spent: NO FILINGS
Available: NO FILINGS
Democrat incumbent state representative Milton Nicks has decided not to seek re-election, leaving an open seat. Several Democrats are competing in a Democrat primary with the Republican primary matching Robert Thorne Jr., a mental health counselor and Crittendon County Quorum Court member, against Gary Tobar, a Republican party activist who has previously run for state representative several time unsuccessfully. This House District includes most of Crittendon County and a portion of Cross County. Thorne’s financial support is split between individuals in the district and Little Rock PACs including the State Chamber, former Democrat State Senator Keith Ingram’s PAC, Entergy PAC, and other lobbyists or special interest PACs. He also has a max donation from the Sarah Huckabee Sanders PAC. An advocate of government schooling, he is a supporter of “teachers’ rights in the education system.” According to his website he is a champion for economic development, advocate for mental health awareness and resources, 100% pro-life and pro-2nd Amendment, and a firm believer in lower taxes and less government.
To date Gary Tobar has not filed any financial reports or public posts regarding his campaign this cycle.
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State House District 32 — Jonesboro area
Representative Jack Ladyman 947 votes (54.18%)
Raised: $35,760.50
Spent: $31,324.00
Available: $11,604.21
Brandt Smith 801 votes (45.82%)
Raised: $19,951.88
Spent: $15,333.98
Available: $4,617.90
Incumbent state representative Jack Ladyman, retired, was primaried by former state representative Brandt Smith, a college professor and military analyst, who gave up his house seat after unsuccessfully running for Congress in 2022. Due to redistricting both Smith and Ladyman ended up in the same house district. The district lies within Craighead County.
Rep. Jack Ladyman has a majority of his funding from PACs from mostly Little Rock special interests including the State Chamber, Mike Huckabee’s PAC, AR Optometric Physicians, ExxonMobil PAC, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives PAC, and a pro-tax increase PAC (AGC). Ladyman has received small donor donations from individuals from his district. He is supported by Congressman Rick Crawford, whom Brandt Smith ran against in 2022. Ladyman’s voting record has been mixed on the Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard, and his most recent score was a 48%, ranking him a low 72nd out of 100. He received an A+ rating from Americans for Prosperity (a group proudly opposed to Trump).
Rep. Ladyman is running to be the next Speaker of the House in Arkansas. According to his websites he has a proven conservative record and is Pro-Life, fighting against big government, securing the second amendment, and lower taxes. He supports the Learns Act passed in 2023 but says that the implementation will require “clear and comprehensive rules to government the program.” His posts advocate that voting for him provides a stronger economy, lower taxes, a brighter community, a stronger community, and advocate for the people.
Former Representative Brandt Smith is financially supported from anti-tort reform groups, individuals in the district, Commerce In Action PAC, and the Gun Owners of Arkansas PAC. Rep. Smith previously served 4 terms in the house and was always ranked towards the top in the Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard, winning multiple conservative awards. According to his website his top issues are protecting life, fighting cancel culture, protecting the 2nd amendment, protecting Arkansas farmers, fighting for voter integrity, and protecting medical workers right of conscience.
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State House District 30 — Northeast Arkansas
Representative Fran Cavenaugh 1,583 votes (67.19%)
Raised: $53,908.23
Spent: $16,689.72
Available: $39,509.57
Coty W. Powers 773 votes (32.81%)
Raised: $3,620.00
Spent: $3,074.13
Available: $1,050.65
Rep. Frances Cavenaugh, manager of a car sales dealership, is facing for the second cycle in a row a primary challenge from Coty Powers, a child abuse/neglect investigator with DHS and a bail bondsman. This district includes parts of Lawrence, Greene, and Craighead County.
Rep. Cavenaugh is financially supported mostly by PACs, including a max donation from Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ PAC, Mike Huckabee’s PAC, Arkansas nursing home PAC, the State Chamber PAC, Walmart PAC, and other special interest PACs in Little Rock. She also has some large donations from individuals in the district. Her campaign consultant is Chase Dugger, a lobbyist and one who benefits from government special interests. His clients include teacher’s union favorite, Solution Tree; Cherokee Nation—gambling; The Wine Institute—alcohol; Osage Creek Cultivation—marijuana; nursing home lobby, hospital lobby, electric cooperatives, and itself. She is endorsed by the NRA, Arkansas Right to Life, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Rep. Cavenaugh ranked 29th out of 100 with a score of 61% on the 2023 Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard. She received awards from Family Council, Americans for Prosperity, Arkansas Trucking, and the Arkansas Municipal League. According to Cavenaugh she is a consistent conservative and a reliable representative.
Coty Powers is a paper filer and has received his financial support from a mix of small dollar donations from individuals. He is a supporter of the Northeast Arkansas Tea Party and supports Congressional term limits. According to a campaign video, Coty Powers is a voice that is true member of the community, a voice to defend protecting your family, educate children, and advocate for law and order. He promises to never vote for a tax increase.
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State House District 27 — North Central Arkansas
Representative Steven Walker 3,037 votes (60.44%)
Raised: $48,300.00
Spent: $42,246.86
Available: $10,053.14
Timmy Reid 1,988 votes (39.56%)
Raised: NO FILINGS
Spent: NO FILINGS
Available: NO FILINGS
Incumbent State Representative Steven Walker, a former teacher and a digital learning specialist with the Arkansas department of education, is being challenged by Timmy Reid, a cattle farmer and small business owner, in a rematch of the 2022 Republican primary runoff between these candidates that was narrowly won by Walker. This district includes Newton, Searcy, Izard, and part of Stone and Baxter counties.
Rep. Walker has received a majority of his campaign funds from PACs, including max donations from both Mike Huckabee and Sarah Huckabee Sanders’, and support from Centene Corporation PAC, Walmart PAC, the State Chamber PAC, AR Realtors PAC, and Arkansas’ Electric Cooperative PAC, among other special interests in Little Rock. He is endorsed by the NRA and Senator Tom Cotton. His campaign consultant is Margin of Victory Partners out of Collierville, Tennessee. Rep. Walker ranked 50th out of 100 with a score of 53% on the 2023 Conduit for Commerce legislative scorecard. Walker’s website states he has rural values and will fight for rural schools, students, and teachers, support the right of parents to have a strong voice in their child’s education, fund broadband expand, oppose mandates and burdensome regulations, maintain fiscal stability, protect our communities by supporting law enforcement, vote pro-life, and support the second amendment.
Timmy Reid is running for the fourth time for a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. To date he has no financial reports and states he is totally self-funded. He is endorsed by Gun Owners of Arkansas. According to his Facebook page Red will support small business owners, local schools and teachers, assist with economic growth and development, remove unnecessary red tape that prevents and slows down growth, and put the people of Arkansas first.
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State House District 24 — Northwest Arkansas
Ty Bates 1,205 votes (31.03%)
Raised: $12,500.00
Spent: $16,400.21
Available: $3,389.79
Brad Hall 2,678 votes (68.97%)
Raised: $1,800.00
Spent: $14,583.55
Available: $26,216.45
State Representative Charlene Fite is finally not running for re-election. Ty Bates will face off against Brad Hall in the Republican primary in this House district that includes most of Crawford County and part of Washington County.
Ty Bates is financially supported by mostly individuals and a few PACs from Little Rock including BNSF RAILPAC, DBH Management Consultants PAC, and one Washington DC PAC. He is endorsed by the current representative for this district, Charlene Fite. It is unclear his official role with the campaign, but the top payee/vendor for Bates’ campaign is Fite’s husband, Tom Fite. According to his campaign material he is Christian, Pro-Life, strong Constitutional support for 2nd amendment, continued education and lifelong activity in firearms industry, works with domestic violence victims to provide continued support and safe housing, and actively fighting to support victims of child trafficking and internet child victimization.
Brad Hall is almost entirely self-funded with a handful of small donations from Blue Cross Blue Shield PAC, AR State Farm PAC, and Chase Dugger’s PAC. He is endorsed by former state representative Bruce Coleman of Crawford County. His campaign consultant is Chase Dugger, a lobbyist and benefits from government special interest. His clients include teacher’s union favorite, Solution Tree; Cherokee Nation gambling; The Wine Institute alcohol; Osage Creek Cultivation marijuana; nursing home lobby; hospital lobby; electric cooperatives; and itself. According to his website he is a conservative Republican, will protect life and traditional family values, defend our gun rights, work to complete I-49 and intermodal port, exploring brining a vocational college to our community, provide necessary funding to law enforcement and first responders, continue phasing out the state income tax, support efforts to eradicate wild hogs, fight the woke liberal agenda being forced on us by national Democrats, reduce burdensome regulations that stifle job creating, and keep our national forest open for public use.
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State House District 17 — Northwest Arkansas
Jeremey Criner 1,256 votes (35.14%)
Raised: $12,115.26
Spent: $10,643.44
Available: $4,471.82
Randy Torres 2,318 votes (64.86%)
Raised: $53,775.00
Spent: $49,306.47
Available: $14,468.53
State Representative Delia Haak has decided not to seek re-election. Jeremy Criner, Siloam Springs Fire Chief, and Randy Torres, a banker, rancher, and real estate developer, will compete to fill the House district seat that covers the southwestern part of Benton County.
Jeremy Criner is financially supported mostly by individuals in the district, including a max donation from William Haak. According to his website his top issues are public safety, public health, and workforce development. He values life, freedom, community, and love for others.
Randy Torres has deep financial support from individuals in the district and some PACs that include Commerce In Action PAC, Arkansas nursing home PAC, Arkansas Bankers PAC, the State Chamber PAC, Nabholz Construction PAC, Arkansas Credit Union PAC, state representative Robin Lundstrum’s PACs, and a pro tax increase PAC (AGC). His campaign consultant is Capitol Consulting Firm, a lobbying firm whose clients include a foreign pharmaceutical company, Airbnb, Palo Alto Networks, NWA Regional Airport, AR Beverage Association, Nabholz Construction, multiple senior/in-home healthcare service providers, the City of Springdale, Comcast, Blackrock, and a tobacco company. He is endorsed by Mike Huckabee, State Senator Tyler Dees, State Representative Robin Lundstrum, and former Senator John Brown III. He is endorsed by Gun Owners of Arkansas and Arkansas Right to Life. His website states he is a principled, conservative, republican. His top issues are small business, second amendment, fierce advocate for the unborn, education, law and order, and fiscal responsibility.
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State House District 14 — Northwest Arkansas
Nicholas Burkes 1,309 votes (57.61%)
Raised: $27,730.00
Spent: $51,280.42
Available: $9,569.58
Joshua Hagan 963 votes (42.39%)
Raised: $19,276.21
Spent: $17,494.95
Available: $13,081.26
State Representative Grant Hodges has decided not to seek re-election. Nicholas Burkes, an accountant, and Josh Hagan, an entrepreneur, will compete in the Republican primary for the district that is in central Benton County.
Nicholas Burkes is financially supported by personal loans and mostly large donor individuals, including several family members, including his mother who is currently serving as a State Representative in another district. He has also received a max donation from Bart Hester’s PAC, Chase Dugger’s PAC, Justice PAC (anti-tort reform), and Arkansas Pharmacists PAC. His campaign consultant is Capitol Consulting Firm, a lobbying firm whose clients include a foreign pharmaceutical company, Airbnb, Palo Alto Networks, NWA Regional Airport, AR Beverage Association, Nabholz Construction, multiple senior/in-home healthcare service providers, the City of Springdale, Comcast, Blackrock, and a tobacco company. He is endorsed by current State Representative for this district, Grant Hodges, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, and Arkansas Right to Life. According to his website, Burkes’ top issues are promote small business, conservative Arkansas values, education, first responders and veterans, and cutting taxes.
Joshua Hagan is financially supported mostly by large donor individuals, including several family members. His campaign consultant is Modern Strategy Group where Michael McCranie is a partner. According to his website his top issues are better futures, community values, public safety, creating jobs, the Second Amendment, and securing the border and enforcing immigration laws.
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State House District 4 — North Arkansas
Rhonda “Tink” Albright 1,377 votes (28.67%)
Raised: $2,550.00
Spent: $81,018.16
Available: ($18,468.16)
Jason Nazarenko 3,426 votes (71.33%)
Raised: $40,020.00
Spent: $37,724.92
Available: $17,795.08
State Representative Jack Fortner has decided not to seek reelection for this House district. Rhonda “Tink” Albright, air medic operator, 911 operator, and emergency planner, realtor, and cattle farmer, will compete against Jason Nazarenko, retired military, to represent this house district that includes Marion County and part of Baxter County.
Rhonda “Tink” Albright is almost entirely self-funding, loaning her campaign $60,000.00 and has a few small donor donations from individuals I the district. She has no PAC donations. She is a current member of the Baxter County quorum court for almost ten years. Her top issues according to her website are defender of first responders, pro-2nd amendment, champion for lower taxes and less government, supporter of small business and economic development, and advocate for mental health and addiction resources. She states she will be a voice of reason in Little Rock.
Jason Nazarenko is financially supported equally between individuals and PACs. He has donations from Mike Huckabee’s PAC, Sarah Huckabee Sanders PAC, and a plethora of Little Rock special interest PACs including the Arkansas nursing homes PAC, Arkansas REALTORS PAC, the State Chamber PAC, Capitol Advisors Group PAC, Impact Management Group PAC, Chase Dugger’s PAC, DBH Management Consultants PAC, and a pro tax increase PAC (AGC). He is endorsed by current state representative Jack Fortner, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and former Governor Mike Huckabee. His core values and beliefs according to his website include Pro-Life, Pro-Second Amendment, reduced taxes and reduced big government overreach, defender of religious liberties, and strong support of law enforcement and first responders. His passion is a servant’s heart, uniting the team, and connecting with the community.
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Data derived from the candidates’ last campaign finance filing, most of which is the 10-day pre-election report due February 24. Totals do not reflect loans to campaigns, which are not considered contributions, and which may explain discrepancies in totals between spending and money available. Additionally, some incumbent candidates may have carry-over campaign funds from prior years.
