Arkansas Democrat & Republican parties prepare for primary elections to fill vacant seat

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A vacant state senate seat has the Arkansas Democratic and Republican parties both preparing to place one of their candidates in it.

The vacancy is due to the Sept. 2 passing of Republican state Sen. Gary Stubblefield, who represented District 26. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared the seat vacant on Sept. 19, triggering the need for both parties to declare if they will hold primary elections or use a delegate convention to provide a candidate within 10 days.

District 26 covers portions of Franklin, Johnson, Sebastian and Logan counties.

On Sept. 24, the Republican Party of Arkansas announced it would hold a primary. On Sept 25, the Arkansas Democrats made the same announcement. With these announcements, it is now up to the governor to declare an election date.

By state law, the date must be as soon as practical after a 150-day waiting period following the Sept. 19 declaration.

Currently, two have put their hat in the ring for the vacant District 26 seat. Former state Rep. Mark Berry and businessman Brad Simon announced their intent to run on Sept. 15. Both are Republicans. Other candidate announcements are anticipated.

District 26 includes parts of Franklin County, where a controversial 3,000-bed state prison is planned. Stubblefield had been an outspoken opponent of building the prison at that site.