Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to Face Democratic State Senator Fredrick Love
Primaries for seven statewide executive offices in Arkansas were held today
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in Arkansas to select candidates for the November 2026 general election. This post covers the races for state office in the Natural State. That includes contests for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, and Commissioner of State Lands. Separate posts will be covering the primaries for federal races, both chambers of the state legislature, and county contests.
In Arkansas, a candidate needs to achieve a 50%+1 majority in the primary to receive their party’s nomination. If that doesn’t happen, then the top two finishers will advance to a runoff scheduled for March 31, 2026.
The general election for all seven of these statewide executive offices will be held on November 3, 2026.
Governor:
State Senator Fredrick Love won the Democratic primary with 81.0% (104,522) against businesswoman Supha Xayprasith-Mays with 19.0% (24,468). 128,990 votes counted.
Incumbent Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the Republican primary unopposed.
Lieutenant Governor:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Leslie Rutledge won the Republican primary unopposed.
Secretary of State:
Marketing specialist Kelly Grappe won the Democratic primary unopposed.
Veteran Bryan Norris and State Senator Kim Hammer will advance in the Republican primary with 34.4% (91,274) and 33.5% (88,798) against Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison with 32.1% (85,202). 265,274 votes counted.
Attorney General:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Tim Griffin won the Republican primary unopposed.
Treasurer:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent John Thurston won the Republican primary unopposed.
Auditor:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Dennis Milligan won the Republican primary unopposed.
Commissioner of State Lands:
No candidate qualified for the Democratic primary.
Secretary of State Cole Jester won the Republican primary with 72.2% (191,806) against real estate investor Christian Olson with 27.8% (73,834). 265,640 votes counted.