Sen. Bryan King (R–Green Forrest) is running for re-election to the Arkansas State Senate. Sen. King was first elected to Little Rock as a State Representative in 2006. He served in the Senate from 2013 to 2018 before returning in 2023. Sen. King has drawn a primary opponent in Bobby Ballinger, son of former State Senator Bob Ballinger, whom Sen. King defeated in the 2022 Republican primary.
What should the voters of Arkansas expect if Sen. King is re-elected? The best way to know this is to look at his voting record. Sen. King has been a top conservative senator while serving in Little Rock, based on his voting record and legislation filed. He has been at or near the top of conservative legislative scorecards, including being a Conduit Calvin Coolidge Hero of Freedom award winner in 2015 (#3 senator overall), 2017 (#1 overall), and 2025 (#3 overall).
Sen. King is now one of several legislators who utilize the “non-voting” option to affect the outcome of legislation. Though his non-votes are not counted toward scoring for the CFC Legislative Scorecard (only for and against votes based on positions), they can be strategic in defeating bad legislation that needs certain affirmative vote thresholds to pass. Below, we include examples of his strategic use of non-voting to prevent bad legislation from passing.
We hope the reader finds this information helpful in comparing the principles espoused in the Arkansas Republican Platform to the voting record of Sen. King. The Arkansas Republican Platform was updated at the 2024 Republican State Convention and can be found HERE.i
Please note that we are only referencing Sen. King’s votes back to 2017.
(You may check earlier legislation and our work recited below by going to the home page of the Arkansas Legislature: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Search )
Taxes / Spending
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Lower taxes to produce economic growth”
- RPA Platform: “We recognize the importance of lower taxes to preserve economic freedom, spur economic growth, and to ensure that individuals reap more of the benefits of their hard work.”
- RPA Platform: “In order to continue moving forward in our economic growth, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
- RPA Platform: “We strongly believe Arkansans are best able to spend the money they earn and deserve to be free from the hassle of burdensome taxes and fees.”
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted against new tax on digital products and tax increases on soda/candy – HB1126 of 2017
- Voted against new tax on tires – HB1267 of 2017
- Voted for unemployment tax cut for businesses – HB1405 of 2017
- Voted for cap on tax for not wearing a seatbelt – SB102 of 2017
- Voted against $50 million slush fund for the Governor – SB331 of 2017
- Voted to phase out the tax on business inputs – SB362 of 2017
- Voted to repeal the government union required prevailing wage law – SB601 of 2017
- Voted to prohibit local income taxes – HB1026 of 2023
- Voted to cut property taxes on primary residences – HB1032 of 2023
- Voted for income tax cuts ($124 million annually) – SB549 of 2023
- Voted for elimination of remaining states sales tax on groceries – HB1685 of 2025
- Voted against new prison in Franklin County funding – SB354 of 2025
Education
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: Every opportunity for every family to enroll each child in the school of his/her choice should be secured by government and offered to Arkansas families.
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for increased transparency at school board meetings – SB89 of 2025
Welfare / Government Dependency
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Individual responsibility and initiative”
- RPA Platform: “Our primary belief for a strong economy for our state is this: PEOPLE CREATE BUSINESSES; BUSINESSES CREATE JOBS; GOVERNMENT DOES NOT!”
- RPA Platform: “. . . strong belief in being individually responsible for his/her place in society and our compassion by helping our neighbors obtain and secure the rewards of hard work to provide for themselves, their families and those unable to care for themselves.
- RPA Platform: “We are created equally with Individual freedoms and liberties that, through our own exercise of individual responsibility and initiative, can result in great outcomes independent of government.”
- RPA Platform: “We are against Socialism, Communism, and Marxism and the inevitable decline and poverty each has caused in the world. Individual initiative and choice, rather than governmental control, is the key to the success of a free market.”
In 2024, the State Convention of the Arkansas Republican Party specifically removed from the Republican Party platform references to support government corporate welfare programs commonly referred to as “economic development” incentives or efforts.
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for housing welfare reform to reduce dependency – HB1196 of 2023
- Voted to prevent local government basic universal income programs – HB1681 of 2023
- Voted against increasing food stamps eligibility – SB306 of 2023
- Voted to require welfare recipients to upload resumes and search for work – HB1582 of 2025
- Voted against funneling taxpayer money to private special interests – SB366 of 2025
- Voted to prohibit food stamps for candy/soda – SB217 of 2025
- Voted against new socialism/corporate welfare districts – SJR15 of 2025
Freedom / Regulation
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Principle: “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”
- RPA Platform: “We support Arkansans’ rights to use their land in the way they see fit, including the use of diverse production methods and technologies free from burdensome federal regulations.”
- RPA Platform: “In order to continue moving forward in our economic growth, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
- RPA Platform: “Without the personal right to own private property, individual rights are diminished.”
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted against excessive regulations for hearing aid providers – HB1034 of 2017
- Voted for less regulations in occupational licensing – HB1082 of 2023
- Voted for increased access for childcare services – HB1155 of 2023
- Voted for fast track permitting in local governments – HB1207 of 2023
- Voted for decreased regulations for electricians to work – HB1360 of 2023
- Voted for increased access and providers for counseling and family therapy – SB42 of 2023
- Voted for streamlined occupational licensing for those licensed in other states – SB90 of 2023
- Voted for increased free speech protections on college campuses – SB125 of 2023
- Voted to criminalize unlawful squatting – HB1049 of 2025
- Voted against allowing fire departments levying of taxes on people not living in the fire departments district – HB1416 of 2025
- Voted against increased regulations on massage therapists – HB1440 of 2025
- Voted to protect private property owners in unincorporated areas from government with no jurisdiction over them – HB1510 of 2025
- Voted to repeal statewide mandate on water fluoridation – SB2 of 2025
- Voted against increased regulations on alcohol sales and deliveries – SB447 of 2025
- Voted to allow veterinary telemedicine – SB61 of 2025
- Voted to allow vet techs to respond to emergency calls – SB68 of 2025
Life
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: We are beings created in God’s image; and as such, we believe all Americans should have equal opportunity to succeed regardless of race, nationality, origin, gender, or creed and should be granted no special preferences based on these criteria.
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted against putting a price tag on human life – SJR8 of 2017
Transparency / Integrity
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: “We firmly support transparency and openness at every level of government.”
- RPA Platform: “Those elected, appointed, and employed in government work for the taxpayers of this state and must provide public information when requested, in line with Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act.
- RPA Platform: “We support the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act as signed on February 14, 1967.” (Added in 2024)
- RPA Platform: “We believe in strong legislative oversight of state government spending and support continued openness and transparency in the spending of appropriated money. Arkansas Republicans recognize the importance of such funding for local projects but believe that all those seeking state funds for special projects should be subject to examination and oversight of the people’s elected representatives through the appropriations process.”
- RPA Platform: “Reform of government begins with the election of trustworthy and qualified Arkansas Republicans to office at every level of government. This will ensure responsible and effective management of our state’s fiscal and natural resources and honor hardworking taxpayers.”
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for transparency in election campaign reports – HB1427 of 2017
- Voted for (and sponsor) of Medicaid disclosure to prevent Medicaid fraud and corruption – SB175 of 2017
- Voted against FOIA exemption for government attorneys – SB373 of 2017
- Voted for (and sponsor) of ethics reform to prevent attorneys/consultants from running legislation for clients – SB726 of 2017
- Voted for civil asset forfeiture reform – SB727 of 2017
- Voted for increased transparency in finances in local elections – HB1243 of 2025
- Voted to ban lobbying for China and Russia – HB1662 of 2025
- Voted for transparency in former politicians becoming government workers/contractors – SB410 of 2025
- Voted to allow public comment and increased transparency in municipal improvement districts – SB424 of 2025
- Voted for increased transparency over procurement of government contracts – SB565 of 2025
- Voted against the removal of transparency and oversight in AR development finance authority – HB1797 of 2025
Elections / Term Limits
Arkansas Republican Platform:
- RPA Platform: “Honest elections are the foundation of our republican form of limited government”
- RPA Platform: “EVERY TIME THAT A FRAUDULENT VOTE IS CAST, IT EFFECTIVELY CANCELS OUT THE VOTE OF A LEGITIMATE VOTER!”
- RPA Platform: “We support the efforts of county election commissioners to protect against voter fraud and implement voting methods that ensure accuracy and increase voter confidence.” (Added 2024)
- RPA Platform: “Regnat Populus: the People Rule”
- RPA Platform: “We are opposed to any effort by special interests who would thwart the will of the people. . .”
Sen. Bryan King’s Votes 2017-2025:
- Voted for (and sponsor) of voter I.D. in the state constitution – HJR1016 of 2017
- Voted for fair ballot titles on legislator sponsored constitutional amendments – SJR10 of 2017
- Voted for election integrity reform – updating voter registrations – HB1407 of 2023
- Voted against making it harder for petition initiatives by the people – HB1419 of 2023
- Voted to prevent outside funding to government elections to prevent fraud and special interests controlling elections – SB255 of 2023
- Voted to prohibit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes – SB258 of 2023
- Voted against making it harder to pass citizen initiatives – SB207, 209-211 of 2025
- Voted to prohibit pre-filled information on voter registration applications – SB272 of 2025
- Voted to prevent fraud in nursing home absentee ballots and assisting people while voting – SB299 of 2025
- Voted for better election integrity for voter assistance to disabled persons – SB479 of 2025
Sen. King “Non-Voting” in 2025
(Effective “No” Votes)
- Not Voting on increased per-student funding of government schools – HB1312 of 2025
- Not Voting on unsustainable expansion of dependent child government retirement benefits past age 18 – HB1348 of 2025
- Not Voting on new excessive regulations of tiny homes – HB1503 of 2025
- Not Voting on non-necessary government program/fund diverting tax revenue – HB1841 of 2025
- Not Voting on violation of private contracting rights – SB139 of 2025
- Not Voting on making temporary tax permanent – SB219 of 2025
- Not Voting on new law enforcement officers in office of Arkansas lottery – SB231 of 2025
- Not Voting on new government healthcare group to further empower special interests – SB264 of 2025
- Not Voting on new corporate welfare program with future tax increases/public debt authority – SB361 of 2025
- Not Voting on levying of special assessments and diverting of special assessment financing and administration to 3rd parties for profit – SB448 of 2025
- Not Voting on repeal of transparency in driver services public records – SB498 of 2025
- Not Voting on free daily breakfast to all government school students regardless of income eligibility – SB59 of 2025
- Not Voting on new 50% tax on delta THC products – SB605 of 2025
- Not Voting for extra funding for university capital improvements projects – HB1493 of 2025
- Not Voting for extra taxpayer funding to government tv capital projects – HB1612 of 2025
- Not Voting on new government commission with per diem for meetings to study celebrating a birthday for the state – HB1846 of 2025
- Not Voting on abolishing tobacco and vaping products in Arkansas through regulation and bureaucracy– SB252 of 2025
- Not Voting on repeal of transparency in Arkansas Development Finance Authority capital access fund – SB382 of 2025
- Not Voting on repeal of transparency in Arkansas Development Finance Authority Bond issues – SB384 of 2025
- Not Voting on repeal of reporting foreign government economic development offices – SB388 of 2025
- Not Voting on new $500 million future tax increase through issuing public debt through bonds – SB421 of 2025
- Not Voting to keep local sales and use taxes from expiring to ensure high tax rates – SB577 of 2025
No commentary is offered regarding whether Sen. Bryan King will be the better candidate to serve as state senator. It is assumed that this is sufficient information for voters to draw their own conclusions.
