David Whitaker

David Whitaker

Democratic Party

Candidate, Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Richard McGrew

Prior offices

Arkansas House of Representatives District 85

Successor: Richard McGrew

Predecessor: John Burris

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Compensation

Base salary

$44,356/year

Per diem

For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $59/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $166/day.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

University of Mary Washington, 1992

Law

University of Arkansas, 1999

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Personal

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Official website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

David Whitaker (Democratic Party) is a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, representing District 22. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. His current term ends on January 11, 2027.

Whitaker (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Arkansas House of Representatives to represent District 22. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

Biography

David Whitaker lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Whitaker served in the U.S. Air Force and reached the rank of staff sergeant. Whitaker earned a B.A. in geography from the University of Mary Washington in 1992 and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas in 1999. His career experience includes working as an attorney and an adjunct faculty member with NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Whitaker was assigned to the following committees:

• House Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee
• House City, County and Local Affairs Committee
• Public Transportation Committee
• Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee

2021-2022

Whitaker was assigned to the following committees:

• Public Transportation Committee
• House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee
• Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee
• Legislative Council
• House Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee

2019-2020

Whitaker was assigned to the following committees:

• Advanced Communications and Information Technology Committee, Vice-Chair
• Legislative Council
• House City, County and Local Affairs Committee
• Public Transportation Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Arkansas committee assignments, 2017
• Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development
• Judiciary

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Whitaker served on the following committees:

Arkansas committee assignments, 2015
• Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development
• Judiciary
• Joint Performance Review

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Whitaker served on the following committees:

Arkansas committee assignments, 2013
• Public Transportation
• City, County and Local Affairs
• Advanced Communications and Information Technology, Alternate
• Joint Advanced Communications and Information Technology, Alternate

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2026

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Incumbent David Whitaker is running in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		David Whitaker (D)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Incumbent David Whitaker won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Whitaker (D)	100.0	8,673

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,673
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent David Whitaker advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Whitaker in this election.

2022

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Incumbent David Whitaker defeated Brian Hester in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Whitaker (D)	52.5	4,534
	Submit photo	Brian Hester (R)	47.5	4,100

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,634
= 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

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent David Whitaker advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

Brian Hester defeated Don McNaughton in the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 22 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Brian Hester	69.4	1,422
	Submit photo	Don McNaughton	30.6	628

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,050
= 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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2020

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85

Incumbent David Whitaker defeated Brian Hester in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Whitaker (D)	55.3	9,092
	Submit photo	Brian Hester (R)	44.7	7,360

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,452
= 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 David Whitaker advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Brian Hester advanced from the Republican primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85.

2018

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

The general election was canceled. Incumbent David Whitaker won election in the general election for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85

Incumbent David Whitaker advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		David Whitaker

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= 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 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.

Incumbent David Whitaker defeated Dwight Gonzales in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 general election.

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	David Whitaker Incumbent	52.94%	7,453
	Republican	Dwight Gonzales	47.06%	6,624
Total Votes				14,077
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State

Incumbent David Whitaker ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 Democratic Primary.

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	David Whitaker Incumbent (unopposed)

Dwight Gonzales ran unopposed in the Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 Republican Primary.

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Dwight Gonzales  (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. Incumbent David Whitaker was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Whitaker ran in the 2012 election for Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85. Whitaker defeated Maylon Rice in the May 22 Democratic primary and defeated Paul Graham (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	David Whitaker	56%	6,450
	Republican	Paul Graham	44%	5,067
Total Votes				11,517

Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
David Whitaker	74.1%	1,264
Maylon Rice	25.9%	441
Total Votes		1,705

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

David Whitaker has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are David Whitaker, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2024

David Whitaker did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

David Whitaker did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

David Whitaker did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Whitaker's campaign website highlighted the following campaign themes:

Good Schools

• Excerpt: "Northwest Arkansas has always been a good jobs magnet, but we need to do more to attract businesses to our area and providing the very best education for our children is the first step in making sure that quality jobs await them upon graduation."

Good Jobs

• Excerpt: "David will stand strong with small businesses and workers and will always fight to bring new jobs to District 85."

Good Government

• Excerpt: "Good government has the traditional meaning of transparency and efficiency, as well as an emphasis on reducing the amount of waste in spending taxpayer dollars."

Note: Whitaker's campaign themes did not change from 2012.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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David Whitaker campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Arkansas House of Representatives District 22	Won general	$16,610	$751
2022	Arkansas House of Representatives District 22	Won general	$46,532	$50,755
2020	Arkansas House of Representatives District 85	Won general	$50,972	N/A**
2018	Arkansas House of Representatives District 85	Won general	$14,607	N/A**
2016	Arkansas House of Representatives, District 85	Won	$59,643	N/A**
2014	Arkansas State House, District 85	Won	$11,090	N/A**
2012	Arkansas State House, District 85	Won	$43,978	N/A**
2010	U.S. House, Arkansas District 3	Lost	$52,635	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Arkansas

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Arkansas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].
In 2024, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from April 10 to May 9. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 1. Arkansas Farm Bureau Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on whether their votes on bills deliver "more economic freedom for all Arkansans." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from February 14 to March 15. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 to October 15. Arkansas Farm Bureau Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on whether their votes on bills deliver "more economic freedom for all Arkansans." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].
In 2020, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from April 8 to April 24. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through April 24. Americans for Prosperity Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on whether their votes on bills deliver "more economic freedom for all Arkansans." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the Arkansas State Legislature was in session from February 12 through March 12. The legislature held a special session from March 13 to March 15. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 91st Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 1. The Legislature held a special session from May 1 to May 3. Americans for Prosperity Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Conduit for Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues with "a focus on small business." Family Council Action Committee Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the 90th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from April 13 through May 9. The Legislature held a three-day special session from April 6 to April 8 over healthcare. The Legislature held a second special session from May 19 to May 23 over transportation. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the 90th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 12 through April 2. Arkansas Citizen's First Congress Legislators are scored on the bills that the Arkansas Citizens First Congress found most important. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the Arkansas General Assembly was in session from February 10 to March 20. Ballotpedia staff did not find any state legislative scorecards published for this state in 2014. If you are aware of one, please contact editor@ballotpedia.org to let us know.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the 89th Arkansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 17. Advance Arkansas Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on the principles the organization seeks to promote, which the Advance Arkansas Institute lists as "free markets, individual liberty and limited transparent government." Arkansas Citizen's First Congress Legislators are scored on the bills that the Arkansas Citizens First Congress found most important. Arkansas Learns Legislators are scored on the bills specifically supported by Arkansas Learns. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Whitaker has a wife, Lisa, and two stepchildren.

See also

2026 Elections

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Government

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External links

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Candidate

Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

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Officeholder

Arkansas House of Representatives District 22

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Richard McGrew (R)	Arkansas House of Representatives District 22 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by John Burris (R)	Arkansas House of Representatives District 85 2013-2023	Succeeded by Richard McGrew (R)

[show]

Current members of the Arkansas House of Representatives

Leadership

Majority Leader:Howard Beaty

Minority Leader:Andrew Collins

Representatives

District 1

Jeremy Wooldridge (R)

District 2

Trey Steimel (R)

District 3

Stetson Painter (R)

District 4

Jason Nazarenko (R)

District 5

Ron McNair (R)

District 6

Harlan Breaux (R)

District 7

Brit McKenzie (R)

District 8

Austin McCollum (R)

District 9

Diana Gonzales Worthen (D)

District 10

Mindy McAlindon (R)

District 11

Rebecca Burkes (R)

District 12

Hope Hendren Duke (R)

District 13

Scott Richardson (R)

District 14

Nick Burkes (R)

District 15

John Carr (R)

District 16

Kendon Underwood (R)

District 17

Randy Torres (R)

District 18

Robin Lundstrum (R)

District 19

Steven Unger (R)

District 20

Denise Garner (D)

District 21

Nicole Clowney (D)

District 22

David Whitaker (D)

District 23

Kendra Moore (R)

District 24

Brad Hall (R)

District 25

Chad Puryear (R)

District 26

James Eaton (R)

District 27

Steven Walker (R)

District 28

Bart Schulz (R)

District 29

Rick McClure (R)

District 30

Frances Cavenaugh (R)

District 31

Jimmy Gazaway (R)

District 32

Jack Ladyman (R)

District 33

Jon Milligan (R)

District 34

Joey Carr (R)

District 35

Jessie McGruder (D)

District 36

Johnny Rye (R)

District 37

Steve Hollowell (R)

District 38

Dwight Tosh (R)

District 39

Wayne Long (R)

District 40

Shad Pearce (R)

District 41

Alyssa Brown (R)

District 42

Stephen Meeks (R)

District 43

Rick Beck (R)

District 44

Stan Berry (R)

District 45

Aaron Pilkington (R)

District 46

Jon Eubanks (R)

District 47

Lee Johnson (R)

District 48

Ryan Rose (R)

District 49

Jay Richardson (D)

District 50

Zack Gramlich (R)

District 51

Cindy Crawford (R)

District 52

Marcus Richmond (R)

District 53

Matt Duffield (R)

District 54

Mary Bentley (R)

District 55

Matt Brown (R)

District 56

Steve Magie (D)

District 57

Cameron Cooper (R)

District 58

Les Eaves (R)

District 59

Jim Wooten (R)

District 60

Roger Lynch (R)

District 61

Jeremiah Moore (R)

District 62

Mark McElroy (R)

District 63

Lincoln Barnett (D)

District 64

Ken Ferguson (D)

District 65

Glenn Barnes (D)

District 66

Mark Perry (D)

District 67

Karilyn Brown (R)

District 68

Brian Evans (R)

District 69

David Ray (R)

District 70

Carlton Wing (R)

District 71

Brandon Achor (R)

District 72

Tracy Steele (D)

District 73

Andrew Collins (D)

District 74

Tippi McCullough (D)

District 75

Ashley Hudson (D)

District 76

Joy Springer (D)

District 77

Fred Allen (D)

District 78

Keith Brooks (R)

District 79

Tara Shephard (D)

District 80

Denise Ennett (D)

District 81

RJ Hawk (R)

District 82

Tony Furman (R)

District 83

Paul Childress (R)

District 84

Les Warren (R)

District 85

Richard McGrew (R)

District 86

John Maddox (R)

District 87

DeAnn Vaught (R)

District 88

Dolly Henley (R)

District 89

Justin Gonzales (R)

District 90

Richard Womack (R)

District 91

Bruce Cozart (R)

District 92

Julie Mayberry (R)

District 93

Mike Holcomb (R)

District 94

Jeff Wardlaw (R)

District 95

Howard Beaty (R)

District 96

Sonia Barker (R)

District 97

Matthew Shepherd (R)

District 98

Wade Andrews (R)

District 99

Lane Jean (R)

District 100

Carol Dalby (R)

Republican Party (81)

Democratic Party (19)