Arkansas State Senate District 26
Arkansas State Senate District 26 is vacant. It was last represented by Gary Stubblefield (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Arkansas state senators represented an average of 86,107 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 83,607 residents.
To learn more about the 2026 special election for Arkansas State Senate District 26, click here.
About the office
Members of the Arkansas State Senate are elected to four-year terms with term limits. The Arkansas legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Arkansas senators are subject to term limits of no more than 12 consecutive years with the opportunity to return after a four-year break.[1]
Service in the state legislature is part-time. In the first election after the census, all 35 seats are up for election. The Senators "shall divide themselves into two classes, by lot, and the first class shall hold their places for two years only, after which all shall be elected for four years." 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 state Senate 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 legislators 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 State Senate District 26
until January 8, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Arkansas State Senate District 26
starting January 9, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2026
A special election for Arkansas State Senate District 26 has been called for March 3, 2026.[15] A primary is scheduled to take place on January 6, 2026.[16] If needed, a primary runoff is scheduled to take place on February 3, 2026.[17][18]
The major candidate filing deadline was November 12, 2025. The filing deadline for independent candidates was November 26, 2025.[18]
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.[19] Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited this law when setting the date of the Senate District 26 special election for June 9, 2026. On October 22, 2025, Arkansas 6th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Patricia James ruled that the special election dates should be held sooner, but did not set a new date. Gov. Sanders appealed the rulling, but she changed the election dates after the Arkansas Supreme Court decided on November 12, 2025, that the lower courts' decisions could not be paused while the appeals moved through the appeals court.[20][21][22]
The seat became vacant on September 2, 2025, after Gary Stubblefield (R) passed away.[23]
General election
The primary will occur on January 6, 2026. The general election will occur on March 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Republican primary election
Special Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Mark Berry, Wade Dunn, Brad Simon, Stacie Smith, and Ted Tritt are running in the special Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on January 6, 2026.
| ||||
 = 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. | ||||
2024
See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Incumbent Gary Stubblefield won election in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gary Stubblefield (R) | 100.0 | 30,582 |
| Total votes: 30,582 | |||
| = 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 Gary Stubblefield advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26.
2022
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Incumbent Gary Stubblefield defeated Gabriel Andreucetti in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Stubblefield (R) | 83.8 | 21,272 |
| Gabriel Andreucetti (L) | 16.2 | 4,117 | ||
| Total votes: 25,389 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 26
Incumbent Gary Stubblefield defeated Roy Hester in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Stubblefield | 68.3 | 9,654 |
| Roy Hester | 31.7 | 4,491 | ||
| Total votes: 14,145 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Gabriel Andreucetti advanced from the Libertarian convention for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on February 20, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Gabriel Andreucetti (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
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Ben Gilmore defeated incumbent Eddie Cheatham in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Gilmore (R) | 60.1 | 17,732 |
 | Eddie Cheatham (D) | 39.9 | 11,791 | |
| Total votes: 29,523 | |||
| = 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. Incumbent Eddie Cheatham advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Ben Gilmore defeated Bill Dunklin in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Gilmore | 51.5 | 3,914 |
| Bill Dunklin | 48.5 | 3,692 | ||
| Total votes: 7,606 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
General election
General election for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Ben Gilmore defeated incumbent Eddie Cheatham in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Gilmore (R) | 60.1 | 17,732 |
| Eddie Cheatham (D) | 39.9 | 11,791 | |
| Total votes: 29,523 | |||
| = 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. Incumbent Eddie Cheatham advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26
Ben Gilmore defeated Bill Dunklin in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 26 on March 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Gilmore | 51.5 | 3,914 |
| Bill Dunklin | 48.5 | 3,692 | ||
| Total votes: 7,606 | |||
| = 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
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2016. 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.[24]
Incumbent Eddie Cheatham defeated Elvis Presley in the Arkansas State Senate District 26 general election.[25]
| Arkansas State Senate, District 26 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Eddie Cheatham Incumbent |
78.67% | 21,040 | |
| Libertarian | Elvis Presley | 21.33% | 5,703 | |
| Total Votes | 26,743 | |||
| Source: Arkansas Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent Eddie Cheatham ran unopposed in the Arkansas State Senate District 26 Democratic Primary.[26][27]
| Arkansas State Senate, District 26 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Eddie Cheatham Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
- See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate 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. Eddie Cheatham and Gregg Reep defeated Johnnie Bolin in the May 22 Democratic primary, and Cheatham defeated Reep in the June 12 primary runoff election. Cheatham went on to defeat Mike Akin (R) in the general election.[28][29]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Eddie Cheatham |
50.6% | 14,479 | |
| Republican | Mike Akin | 49.4% | 14,124 | |
| Total Votes | 28,603 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Eddie Cheatham (advanced to runoff) |
36.3% | 4,157 |
| Gregg Reep (advanced to runoff) |
35.4% | 4,058 |
| Johnnie Bolin | 28.3% | 3,245 |
| Total Votes | 11,460 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2002 to 2024, candidates for Arkansas State Senate District 26 raised a total of $1,265,075. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $79,067 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Arkansas State Senate District 26 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $35,536 | 1 | $35,536 |
| 2022 | $133,592 | 3 | $44,531 |
| 2020 | $442,697 | 3 | $147,566 |
| 2016 | $57,449 | 2 | $28,725 |
| 2012 | $409,404 | 4 | $102,351 |
| 2008 | $89,852 | 1 | $89,852 |
| 2004 | $53,967 | 1 | $53,967 |
| 2002 | $42,577 | 1 | $42,577 |
| Total | $1,265,075 | 16 | $79,067 |
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
- ↑ The general election was originally scheduled for June 9, 2026
- ↑ The primary was originally scheduled for March 3, 2026
- ↑ The primary runoff was originally scheduled for March 31, 2026
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Governor of Arkansas, "Sanders Announces Update in Special Election to Fill Vacancy in Office for State Representative for District 70, State Senator for District 26," November 16, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas State Statutes, "7-7-105. Filling vacancies in certain offices — Special primary elections," accessed October 23, 2025
- ↑ Talk Business & Politics, "Court rules against Gov. Sanders in Senate District 26 special election," October 22, 2025
- ↑ Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, "Sanders Announces Update in Special Election fo Fill Vacancy for State Senator for District 26," September 26, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas Advocate, "Sanders moves Arkansas special elections, but calls court orders ‘unlawful,’" November 16, 2025
- ↑ Arkansas Times, "State Sen. Gary Stubblefield has died at 74," September 2, 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, “2012 General Election,” October 21, 2013
- ↑ Arkansas Secretary of State, “2012 General Primary,” October 21, 2013
