With Early Voting Ahead, Senate District 26 Prepares to Choose Its Next Senator

Early voting for the Arkansas Senate District 26 special election begins Dec. 30, setting the stage for a high-profile race in March. Voters across the state are watching closely, motivated by strong opposition to a proposed prison in Franklin County and by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ failed effort to delay the election and keep the prison site vacant during critical voting periods.

Although the district leans heavily Republican, the race is shaping up to be competitive. Five Republicans are seeking the nomination, no Democrats have entered the contest, and one independent candidate is positioning himself to challenge the eventual Republican nominee in March.

Who Is Running for the Seat

The Republican candidates seeking the nomination include former State Rep. Mark Berry of Ozark, a senior Republican leader who previously represented District 26 in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Greenwood residents Wade Dunn and Stacie Smith, along with Paris businessmen Brad Simon and Ted Tritt, round out the Republican field.

Although some Democrats note a growing anti-Trump and anti-Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sentiment in the district, they are not entering the race. Party officials say this approach allows them to focus on districts where they have a realistic chance of winning, and the deep-red District 26 offers little opportunity amid the ongoing controversies surrounding the election.

Adam Watson, a Franklin County resident, has filed as an independent candidate. He faces no primary and will appear directly on the March 3 ballot. Watson has attracted support from various corners of the public, including some Democrats. Secretary of State Cole Jester’s office confirmed that Watson of Branch submitted 250 signatures from registered District 26 voters ahead of the noon Wednesday deadline, well above the 75 needed to qualify.

Watson previously circulated a petition calling for a legislative hearing on the prison proposal and has emerged as a vocal opponent of Gov. Sanders’ plan to build a 3,000-bed prison in Franklin County.

Prison Proposal Dominates the Race

While a range of issues could arise in the special election, the proposed prison has remained the defining topic.

From the start of their campaigns, Dunn, Smith, Tritt, and Simon have all publicly opposed building the prison on the 815-acre site the state purchased in Franklin County last year. The late Sen. Gary Stubblefield was among the project’s most vocal opponents, and his family has endorsed Dunn to succeed him.

Mark Berry, the most experienced Republican candidate and a senior leader in the party, had not initially expressed opposition to the prison. As the election approaches, however, he has aligned his position with the prevailing public sentiment.

Adam Watson, running as an independent, has positioned himself as the candidate for voters opposed to the prison, including Republicans who are critical of Gov. Sanders. Watson said he believes the electorate is receptive to his approach, regardless of which Republican advances.

“The district includes parts of Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Sebastian counties,” Watson said. “All of the work that I’ve been doing in the district before a political opportunity presented itself is ringing true with the voters, because they see somebody that is really just interested in doing what’s best for the district and not serving political parties.”

Whoever wins the special election will take a seat in the Arkansas Legislature ahead of the fiscal session, which begins April 8. Pre-session budget hearings are scheduled to begin March 4, giving the new senator a chance to influence discussions.

Early Voting Locations and Dates

Early voting for the special election will be limited to just four full days, compared with about 12 days in a typical election cycle. In Sebastian County, voters can cast their ballots on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 2 and 5, with polling hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Franklin County voters can use two early voting locations: the Ozark Training Room at 120 South Second Street in Ozark and the County Clerk’s office at 607 East Main Street in Charleston. Early voting hours match those in Sebastian County, with each site closing at 4:30 p.m. daily.

In Logan County, voters may visit the Jeral Hampton Meeting Place at 114 West Main Street in Booneville or the Office of Emergency Management facility at 205 East Maple in Paris. These sites follow the same early voting schedule, closing at 4:30 p.m. each day.

Independent candidates in regular elections will begin collecting signatures from registered voters in January.

Under the revised schedule, voters will head to the polls for the primary election on Jan. 6, with the special election set for March 3. If a primary runoff is necessary, it will take place on Feb. 3.