Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 is vacant. It was last represented by Carlton Wing (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.
To learn more about the 2026 special election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70, click here.
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
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] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $44,356/year | For 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
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]
See sources: Arkansas Stat. Ann. § 7-11-103 and Arkansas Cons. Art. 5, § 6
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
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 70
until January 8, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
starting January 9, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
A special election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 has been called for June 9, 2026. A primary is scheduled to take place on March 3, 2026. If needed, a primary runoff is scheduled to take place on March 31, 2026.[15]
The major party candidate filing deadline was November 12, 2025. The filing deadline for independent candidates is April 13, 2026.[15]
Arkansas law requires special elections to be held within 150 days of the vacancy unless "the Governor determines it is impracticable or unduly burdensome" to hold the election within that timeframe.[16] Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited this law when setting the date of the House District 70 special election for June 9, 2026. On October 31, 2025, Arkansas 6th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Shawn Johnson ruled that the special election dates should be held on March 3, 2026. Gov. Sanders said she would appeal the decision.[17]
The seat became vacant on September 30, 2025, after Carlton Wing (R) resigned to take a position as CEO of Arkansas PBS.[18]
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
General election
The general election will occur on June 9, 2026.
2024
See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Incumbent Carlton Wing defeated Alex Holladay in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Carlton Wing (R) | 51.0 | 7,541 |
 | Alex Holladay (D) | 49.0 | 7,255 | |
| Total votes: 14,796 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Alex Holladay advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Carlton Wing advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70.
2022
General election
General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Incumbent Carlton Wing defeated Judson Scanlon and Peyton Perks in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Carlton Wing (R) | 54.1 | 6,378 |
 | Judson Scanlon (D) | 43.1 | 5,080 | |
| Peyton Perks (L) | 2.8 | 334 | ||
| Total votes: 11,792 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Judson Scanlon advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James Garner (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Carlton Wing advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70.
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Peyton Perks advanced from the Libertarian convention for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on February 20, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Peyton Perks (L) | |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Incumbent Spencer Hawks won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Spencer Hawks (R) | 100.0 | 13,256 |
| Total votes: 13,256 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Spencer Hawks advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70.
2018
General election
General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Spencer Hawks defeated Andy Hawkins in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Spencer Hawks (R) | 55.6 | 5,998 |
| Andy Hawkins (D) | 44.4 | 4,798 | ||
| Total votes: 10,796 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Andy Hawkins advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Andy Hawkins | |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Spencer Hawks advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Spencer Hawks |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
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.[19]
Incumbent David Meeks ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 general election.[20]
| Arkansas House of Representatives, District 70 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  David Meeks Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Arkansas Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent David Meeks ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 Republican Primary.[21][22]
| Arkansas House of Representatives, District 70 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | David Meeks Incumbent (unopposed) | |
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. Frank Shaw was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent David Meeks was unopposed in the Republican primary. Meeks defeated Shaw in the general election.[23][24]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Meeks Incumbent |
55.8% | 5,177 | |
| Democratic | Frank Shaw | 44.2% | 4,103 | |
| Total Votes | 9,280 | |||
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 David Meeks defeated Price Dooley in the May 22 Republican primary before defeating Cody Bassham (D) in the general election. Bassham ran unopposed in the May 22 Democratic primary.[25][26]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | David Meeks Incumbent |
61.8% | 6,829 | |
| Democratic | Cody Bassham | 38.2% | 4,219 | |
| Total Votes | 11,048 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
David Meeks |
72.8% | 1,587 |
| Price Dooley | 27.2% | 593 |
| Total Votes | 2,180 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 raised a total of $792,509. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $33,021 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Arkansas House of Representatives District 70 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $148,129 | 2 | $74,065 |
| 2022 | $200,809 | 3 | $66,936 |
| 2020 | $26,958 | 1 | $26,958 |
| 2018 | $105,317 | 2 | $52,658 |
| 2016 | $7,925 | 1 | $7,925 |
| 2014 | $98,157 | 2 | $49,079 |
| 2012 | $57,680 | 3 | $19,227 |
| 2010 | $10,650 | 1 | $10,650 |
| 2008 | $59,773 | 4 | $14,943 |
| 2006 | $23,061 | 1 | $23,061 |
| 2004 | $13,500 | 1 | $13,500 |
| 2002 | $36,449 | 2 | $18,225 |
| 2000 | $4,100 | 1 | $4,100 |
| Total | $792,509 | 24 | $33,021 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Arkansas State Legislature, "Constitution of the State of Arkansas of 1874," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 5 - Time of meeting," accessed October 26, 2021
- ↑ Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 4 - Qualifications of senators and representatives," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 19 - Miscellaneous Provisions," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "HJR1009," accessed February 9, 2021
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-118)
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-119)
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-120(a)(1))
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-103(a))
- ↑ Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 24, 2025 (Statutes, 7-11-105 1 (a)-(c))
- ↑ Democracy Docket, "Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. The Arkansas Board of Apportionment complaint," Dec. 29, 2021
- ↑ Arkansas Online, "Arkansas board accepts redrawn legislative district maps," Oct. 30, 2021
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 All About Redistricting, "Arkansas," accessed April 20, 2015
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, ""Sanders Announces Special Election to Fill Vacancy in Office for State Representative for District 70,"" October 10, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas State Statutes, "7-7-105. Filling vacancies in certain offices — Special primary elections," accessed October 23, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas Advocate, "Arkansas judge rules against Sanders in second special election lawsuit," October 31, 2025
- ↑ KNWA Fayetteville, ""Carlton Wing named Arkansas PBS Executive Director, CEO,"" September 27, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed November 17, 2015
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election and Nonpartisan Runoff Election," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information," accessed July 25, 2016
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Results," accessed April 19, 2016
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "Candidate Information," accessed March 5, 2014
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 26, 2014
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, “2012 General Election,” October 21, 2013
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, “2012 General Primary,” October 21, 2013
