By: Catherine Spicer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) —
The Associated Press has declared the winners of several Arkansas races in the 2026 election.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has served as Arkansas governor since 2023, won her reelection bid with 53% of the vote. She ran against Colt Shelby (L) and Fred Love (D), who led with 52% of the vote in Washington County where Sanders only received 41% of the vote.
Tom Cotton, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, also won his bid for reelection. Cotton had a 12% lead against Hallie Shoffner (D). Though Shoffner took a 17% lead in Washington County. Residents casted 74,000 votes for either party in the senate race, a increase of 47,000 from the March primary.
District three U.S. Representative Steve Womack, who has served in the office for about 15 years, won re-election against Robb Ryerse (D) and Bobby Wilson (L). Ryerse had 50% of the vote in Washington County, with 44% of the votes going to Womack.
There were also four ballot issues in Arkansas that voters were able to weigh in on.
Issues 1 and two passed with 70% approval and will go into effect on January 1, 2027. Issue 1 clarifies that only U.S. citizens can vote in state and local elections. Issue 2 will expand gun rights by guaranteeing the right to possess and use ammunition, firearms, accessories and parts.
Issue 4 was also approved with more than 56% of the vote. It will allow Arkansas to issue $500 million dollars in bonds to fund improvements.
“It looks a lot like a loan so a county might be needing to improve its wastewater treatment facility or expand it or grow it other water treatment or other water abatement issues would fall under this category,” John Davis, teaching assistant professor of political science, said.
However, Issue 3 did not pass. The issue would have amended the constitution to create programs including Economic Development Districts and make loans and grants of public money for developing the state economy.
The Arkansas House of Representatives also broke the Republican supermajority, with ten seats now going to democratic candidates.
Outside of Arkansas, historic results were seen across the country. Texas elected James Talarico, the first democratic U.S. senator since 1993. Gina Hinojosa became the first Latina elected as Texas governor and the first Democrat to win since 1995.
Adam Hamilton became the first elected democratic senator in Kansas since 1932.
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms also made history, being the first black woman elected Georgia governor.
Republican Byron Donals became Florida’s first black governor elect and Michigan’s Abul El-Sayed (D) became the first muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
Democrats took control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, with the last time they held the majority in the House being from 2021-2023.