ARKANSAS, USA — Arkansans voted on state Supreme Court justices, the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress, and more on March 5, 2024, joining several other states for Super Tuesday's presidential primary elections.
Voters in parts of Sebastian County, Benton, Washington, Madison, and Crawford Counties decided to keep incumbent Rep. Steve Womack over state Sen. Clint Penzo for the 3rd Congressional District Republican nomination.
- Womack: 54%
- Penzo: 46%
"I think when you look at the body of my work, the totality of my work as a member of Congress, that's the case I make to the discerning voters as to why they should give me two more years in this next term to continue to perform at that level," Womack said.
Womack will now face Democratic candidate Caitlin Draper in the November election. Draper says District 3 constituents are looking for a change in leadership.
"Our world has been facing so many challenges, our district is facing challenges, our country is facing challenges, and folks have made it clear that they want change, and they want to hold their leaders accountable," Draper said.
With Womack's win, Draper said she would continue campaigning for the general election as she did during the primaries.
"I don't foresee any changes this whole time. We've been traveling all over the district, listening to voters and their concerns and what matters to them," Draper said. "That's something that we've been missing in Arkansas, in terms of our congressional leadership is someone on the ground, in the district, listening to the needs of all Arkansans."
Arkansas Supreme Court
The state's Supreme Court chief justice race is going to a runoff in the November election.
Three of the court's seven justices — Karen Baker, Barbara Webb, and Rhonda Wood — were running against former Arkansas Rep. Jay Martin for chief justice. The four ran to succeed Chief Justice Dan Kemp, who was first elected in 2016 and is not seeking reelection.
Results from the nonpartisan March race:
- Baker: 27.2%
- Martin: 21.61%
- Webb 25.88%
- Wood: 26.31%
Baker and Wood are projected to be the contestants in November's runoff, but nothing has been officially announced.
A win by one of the three sitting justices would give the court its first woman elected as chief justice in history.
Position 3 Associate Justice Courtney Hudson was reelected to the court for position 2.
- Hudson: (60%)
- Judge Carlton Jones: (40%)
Hudson has been on the court since 2011 where she was the youngest justice to be elected to the Arkansas Supreme Court. She also has previous experience as a judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
With Hudson's reelection to the court, position 3 will now need to be filled. If one of the three sitting justices running for chief justice is elected, another seat will be also left vacant. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is required to appoint any vacant seats on the court.
State District Court
Voters also decided on state district court judges across Arkansas:
- District 2(Washington County)
- Taylor Samples (54%) was elected over Mark N. Scalise (46%) for state district judge in District 2, Division 1.
- District 5 (Crawford County)
- Rinda Baker (63%) was elected as state district judge in District 5 over Arron Edwards (18%) and Lena Pinkerton (20%).
- District 6 (Sebastian County)
- District Judge Sam Terry (73%) was reelected as a state district judge in District 6, Division 1 in Fort Smith over Jim O'Hern (27%). Terry was appointed to the court's Division 3 by former Governor Asa Hutchinson after Judge Claire Borengasser retired in June 2022. Terry was appointed to fill the position from July 18, 2022, until Dec. 21, 2024.
- District Judge Amy Grimes (82%) was reelected as a state district judge in District 6, Division 3 in Fort Smith over William Whitfield Hyman (18%). Grimes is currently serving as the judge over Division 1.
For a map of the district courts in Arkansas, click here.
State House of Representatives
- District 17 (Parts of Washington and Benton County)
- Randy Torres (67%) won the District 17 position against party opponent Jeremy Criner (33%). Torres does not have a Democratic opponent for the general election.
- District 14 (Benton County)
- Nick Burkes (58%) received the Republican nomination over Joshua Hagan (42%). Burkes will face his Democratic opponent Jacob Malloy in November.
- District 15 (Benton County)
- Stephanie Funk (87%) received the Democratic nomination over Erin Underhill (13%). Funk will face incumbent Rep. John Carr (R) in the November election.
- District 24 (Parts of Washington and Crawford County)
- Brad Hall (69%) will advance to the November election as the Republican candidate. Hall beat out Ty Bates (31%) for the nomination. Hall will face Democrat Ryan Intchauspe in the general election.
- District 51 (Sebastian County)
- Incumbent Rep. Cindy Crawford (78%) was reelected for District 51's Republican nomination over Jeff Burks (22%). Crawford will face Jane-Ellen Udouj-Kutchka in November.
For a map of the house districts, click here.
Local races and issues
Although it was a presidential election, many important local issues were on the 2024 primary ballot. From raising property taxes to electing new prosecuting attorneys, here are the results from Super Tuesday.
Benton County
Benton County voters elected Bryan Sexton (56%) as prosecuting attorney over his opponent Sarah Phillips (44%).
Justice of Peace
- District 1 (R)
- JP Jeff Dunn (53%)
- Michael McCaskey (47%)
- District 8 (R)
- JP Joel Jones (52%)
- Lisa Richards (48%)
- District 12 (R)
- John Good Rissler (61%)
- Caroline Geer (39%)
- District 15 (R)
- JP Joel Edwards (66%)
- Andrew Sova (34%)
Avoca
- Avoca residents served by the Avoca Fire & Rescue Department decided to increase the levy of the volunteer fire department dues from $50 annually to $125 annually.
- For: 50.38% | 263 votes
- Against: 49.62% | 259 votes
Bella Vista
- Voters decided on a 0.5 mill increase in property taxes to go toward police officers' pension plans. Mayor John Flynn estimates the millage increase will cost an average resident $20 per year, according to the City of Bella Vista.
- For: 3,570
- Against: 2,617
Centerton
- Voters decided how to use a part of the current city sales tax, which is 2%. 1% of the 2% city sales tax will be used for the following purposes:
- Refunding bonds and taxes for the maximum amount of $3.5 million.
- For: 1,154
- Against: 714
- Community center facilities bonds for the maximum amount of $26 million.
- For: 1,205
- Against: 686
- Street improvements bonds for the maximum amount of $13,169,600.
- For: 1,389
- Against: 518
- Parks and Recreation improvements bonds for the maximum amount of $2,618,700.
- For: 1,232
- Against: 661
- Police Facilities bonds for the maximum amount of $1,560,000.
- For: 1,147
- Against: 750
- Refunding bonds and taxes for the maximum amount of $3.5 million.
Although each bond was approved by voters, the rate of taxation will continue to be 1%.
Crawford County
Justice of Peace
- District 4 (R)
- Lloyd Cole (270)
- Quincy Cook (253)
- District 5 (R)
- Brad Martin (219)
- Jonathon 'Jon' Baker (146)
- John Hendrick (134)
Dyer
- Dyer residents voted to elect Lynn Hubbard (57%) over Robert Childers (43%) as mayor.
Franklin County
Justice of Peace
- District 7 (R)
- Gary O'Neal (172)
- Justin Flanagan (74)
Logan County
Justice of Peace
- District 7 (R)
- Bobby Cobb (170)
- Donald R. Keezer (72)
- District 9 (R)
- Sam Tabler (98)
- Phillip Blankenship (74)
Washington County
Justice of Peace
- District 1 (R)
- Bradley Bruns (77%)
- Ofelia Cypert (23%)
Constable
- District 1 (R)
- Tom G. Clowers (63%)
- John-David Duggar (38%)
- District 3 (R)
- Kyle Woodruff (70%)
- Joe M. Maynard (30%)
Greenland
- Voters decided to allow alcohol sales on Sundays in Greenland.
- For: 70%
- Against: 30%
For more information on the results of the 2024 primary and nonpartisan judicial general election, visit the Secretary of State's website.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.