Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

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Arkansas House of Representatives District 36
Incumbent
Assumed office: January 9, 2023

Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 is represented by Johnny Rye (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Arkansas state representatives represented an average of 30,138 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 29,262 residents.

About the office

Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits of no more than 12 consecutive years with the opportunity to return after a four-year break.[1] Arkansas legislators assume office on the second Monday of January following their election.[2]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 5, Section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, nor any one who has not been for two years next preceding his election, a resident of this State, and for one year next preceding his election, a resident of the county or district whence he may be chosen. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age."[3]

Article 19, Section 3 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No persons shall be elected to, or appointed to fill a vacancy in, any office who does not possess the qualifications of an elector."[4]


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[5]
SalaryPer diem
$44,356/yearFor legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $59/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $166/day.

Term limits

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Arkansas legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The Arkansas House of Representatives has been term-limited since Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Term Limits Initiative in 1992 as an initiated constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2000.

In 2014, voters approved the Arkansas Elected Officials Ethics, Transparency and Financial Reform Amendment, which permitted a legislator to serve a total of 16 years in the House or Senate during his or her lifetime.[6] In 2020, voters modified the term limits for Arkansas state legislative members. Voters passed Issue 2 in November 2020 with 55.38% of the vote. The measure imposed term limits of 12 consecutive years for state legislators with the opportunity to return after a four-year break. State legislators elected in November 2020 or already in office would be allowed to serve the former term limit of 16 years.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Arkansas General Assembly, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The election must be called by the governor without delay.[7][8] For all special elections in the Senate, the county that first established the district is responsible for conducting the election.[9] If the special election is to fill a House seat, the county board of election commissioners representing the vacant district conducts the election.[10][11]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Arkansas Stat. Ann. § 7-11-103 and Arkansas Cons. Art. 5, § 6


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in Arkansas after the 2020 census

On December 29, 2021, new state House and Senate district maps went into effect.[12] The Arkansas Board of Apportionment—made up of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general—initially displayed these maps on Oct. 29, 2021, beginning a month-long public comment period.[13] The board met on Nov. 29 to incorporate feedback and then voted 3-0 in favor of the final maps. These maps took effect for Arkansas' 2022 legislative elections.

How does redistricting in Arkansas work? The Arkansas General Assembly is responsible for drawing congressional district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a single redistricting plan. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[14]

Arkansas' state legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission, the Arkansas Board of Apportionment. The commission comprises the governor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general.[14]

The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas State Senate district lines be "contiguous, and that they follow county lines except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[14]

Arkansas House of Representatives District 36
until January 8, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Arkansas House of Representatives District 36
starting January 9, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2024

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Incumbent Johnny Rye defeated Daniel Parker in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Johnny Rye
Johnny Rye (R)
 
67.9
 
5,318
Image of Daniel Parker
Daniel Parker (D) Candidate Connection
 
32.1
 
2,519

Total votes: 7,837
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Daniel Parker advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Johnny Rye advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36.

2022

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Incumbent Johnny Rye won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Johnny Rye
Johnny Rye (R)
 
100.0
 
5,126

Total votes: 5,126
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Johnny Rye advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36.

2020

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Incumbent Denise Ennett won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Ennett
Denise Ennett (D)
 
100.0
 
8,180

Total votes: 8,180
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Incumbent Denise Ennett defeated Russell Williams III in the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Ennett
Denise Ennett
 
69.7
 
2,656
Russell Williams III
 
30.3
 
1,157

Total votes: 3,813
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2019

See also: Arkansas state legislative special elections, 2019

A special election for District 36 of the Arkansas House of Representatives was held in 2019. A primary was held on August 6, 2019, and a special primary runoff election was held on September 3, 2019. The filing deadline for candidates was June 7, 2019.[15] Because no Republican candidates filed to run, Denise Ennett won the seat outright in the Democratic primary runoff.[16] If a general election had been necessary, it would have been held on November 5, 2019.

The seat became vacant when Charles Blake (D) resigned his seat on May 16, 2019, to take a job with Little Rock's mayor.[15]

Democratic primary runoff election

Special Democratic primary runoff for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Denise Ennett defeated Darrell Stephens in the special Democratic primary runoff for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on September 3, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Ennett
Denise Ennett
 
57.8
 
583
Image of Darrell Stephens
Darrell Stephens
 
42.2
 
426

Total votes: 1,009
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Denise Ennett and Darrell Stephens advanced to a runoff. They defeated Philip Hood, Roderick Talley, and Russell Williams III in the special Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on August 6, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Ennett
Denise Ennett
 
32.5
 
446
Image of Darrell Stephens
Darrell Stephens
 
31.4
 
431
Philip Hood
 
19.6
 
269
Image of Roderick Talley
Roderick Talley
 
11.2
 
154
Russell Williams III
 
5.4
 
74

Total votes: 1,374
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

The general election was canceled. Incumbent Charles Blake won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36

Incumbent Charles Blake defeated Darrell Stephens in the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 on May 22, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charles Blake
Charles Blake
 
61.7
 
1,670
Image of Darrell Stephens
Darrell Stephens
 
38.3
 
1,036

Total votes: 2,706
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2016

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2016

Ballotpedia's analysis revealed that only 42 of the 100 seats up for election in 2016 involved competition between Democrats and Republicans. This made it numerically impossible for Democrats to take control of either Arkansas legislative chamber in 2016.

The reason for the low competition was that candidates were in safe districts for their parties. Between 1972 and 2014, an upward trend in uncontested state legislative elections occurred.

The Democratic Party of Arkansas focused its 2016 efforts on the state’s House of Representatives. Without the numbers to win the state Senate, H.L. Moody, communications director for the Democratic Party of Arkansas, told Ballotpedia that the party’s goal was to “start building back where we can,” beginning with the House.

Ballotpedia spoke to political analyst Richard Winger, who said that the early primary deadline for the 2016 elections was a possible factor as well, making it difficult for Democrats to recruit candidates early.

The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing period began at noon local time on November 2, 2015, and ended at noon local time on November 9, 2015.[17]

Incumbent Charles Blake ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 general election.[18]

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 36 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Charles Blake Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State


Incumbent Charles Blake ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 Democratic Primary.[19][20]

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 36 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Charles Blake Incumbent (unopposed)


2014

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Arkansas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 3, 2014. Charles Blake defeated Sheena Lewis and Rodney Hall in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[21][22]

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 36 Democratic Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Blake 52.3% 1,154
Sheena Lewis 42.3% 932
Rodney Hall 5.4% 119
Total Votes 2,205

2012

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Arkansas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on May 22, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 1, 2012. Incumbent Darrin Williams ran unopposed in the May 22 Democratic primary before winning the general election without opposition.[23][24]

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Arkansas House of Representatives District 36 raised a total of $607,972. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $21,713 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Arkansas House of Representatives District 36
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $40,807 2 $20,404
2022 $14,639 1 $14,639
2020 $10,616 2 $5,308
2019 $59,260 4 $14,815
2018 $45,216 2 $22,608
2016 $10,226 1 $10,226
2014 $37,537 3 $12,512
2012 $67,612 1 $67,612
2010 $44,427 1 $44,427
2008 $85,563 2 $42,782
2006 $13,858 1 $13,858
2004 $9,803 1 $9,803
2002 $23,403 4 $5,851
2000 $145,005 3 $48,335
Total $607,972 28 $21,713


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. Arkansas State Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Arkansas of 1874," accessed January 14, 2015
  2. Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 5 - Time of meeting," accessed October 26, 2021
  3. Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 4 - Qualifications of senators and representatives," accessed May 21, 2025
  4. Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 19 - Miscellaneous Provisions," accessed May 23, 2025
  5. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  6. Arkansas Legislature, "HJR1009," accessed February 9, 2021
  7. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-118)
  8. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-119)
  9. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-120(a)(1))
  10. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-103(a))
  11. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 24, 2025 (Statutes, 7-11-105 1 (a)-(c))
  12. Democracy Docket, "Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. The Arkansas Board of Apportionment complaint," Dec. 29, 2021
  13. Arkansas Online, "Arkansas board accepts redrawn legislative district maps," Oct. 30, 2021
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 All About Redistricting, "Arkansas," accessed April 20, 2015
  15. 15.0 15.1 Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "Governor sets special election for House seat vacated by lawmaker who resigned to work with Little Rock mayor," May 30, 2019
  16. Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "Procedure settled in District 36 race," October 31, 2019
  17. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed November 17, 2015
  18. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election and Nonpartisan Runoff Election," accessed November 23, 2016
  19. Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information," accessed July 25, 2016
  20. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Results," accessed April 19, 2016
  21. Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information," accessed March 5, 2014
  22. Arkansas Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 26, 2014
  23. Arkansas Secretary of State, “2012 General Election,” October 21, 2013
  24. Arkansas Secretary of State, “2012 General Primary,” October 21, 2013


Current members of the Arkansas House of Representatives
Leadership
Majority Leader:Howard Beaty
Minority Leader:Andrew Collins
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
John Carr (R)
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
Brad Hall (R)
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
Joey Carr (R)
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
Rick Beck (R)
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
Ryan Rose (R)
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
Les Eaves (R)
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
David Ray (R)
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
RJ Hawk (R)
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
Lane Jean (R)
District 100
Republican Party (81)
Democratic Party (19)