Robert Largent

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Robert Largent

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 24, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Arkansas, 1968

Graduate

University of Oklahoma, 1982

Other

Air University, 1989

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1968 - 1992

Personal

Birthplace

Springdale, Ark.

Religion

Baptist

Profession

President/CEO

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Robert Largent (Republican Party) ran for election to the Arkansas State Senate to represent District 28. He lost in the Republican primary on May 24, 2022.

Largent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Robert Largent was born in Springdale, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1992. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in 1968, and a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1982. His career experience includes working as a President/CEO.

Elections

2022

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Arkansas State Senate District 28

Bryan King defeated Jim Wallace in the general election for Arkansas State Senate District 28 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryan King (R)	76.0	21,768
		Jim Wallace (D)	24.0	6,888

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 28,656
= 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 runoff election

Republican primary runoff for Arkansas State Senate District 28

Bryan King defeated incumbent Bob Ballinger in the Republican primary runoff for Arkansas State Senate District 28 on June 21, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryan King	53.8	3,655
		Bob Ballinger	46.2	3,137

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,792
= 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. Jim Wallace advanced from the Democratic primary for Arkansas State Senate District 28.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 28

Bryan King and incumbent Bob Ballinger advanced to a runoff. They defeated Keith Slape, Robert Largent, and Theodore Walker in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 28 on May 24, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bryan King	31.8	4,863
✔		Bob Ballinger	29.2	4,465
		Keith Slape	19.2	2,936
		Robert Largent	10.3	1,578
		Theodore Walker	9.5	1,461

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,303
= 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.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Largent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Largent's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born & raised in Springdale, AR. Graduate of the Univ of Arkansas (BSBA) and Univ of Oklahoma (MPA). US Air Force veteran with 24-plus years' service; retired in the rank of Colonel. Worked in and owned small businesses for over 20 years; met a payroll. As CEO of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce, have planned and led successful economic development efforts in five North Arkansas counties for three-plus years. Public office has never been on my bucket list, but with new senate maps drawn in 2021, realized the constituients of Senate Dist 28 have not been served by elected officials that focused on their needs and priorities: agribusiness, tourism, transportation infrastructure that provides for both, affordable housing, job creation, and more. Opportunity to give back to public service with focused, collaborative, expierenced leadership gained in Air Force and business positions requiring fast study, on-point understanding, and balanced decisionmaking. I listen, build teams, develop workable alternatives through understanding and consensus, and then deliver the product. Not afraid to make course corrections as needed. Integrity every minute, every day. Fairness for all. Service above self...it's about the people of District 28, not me.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Focus on the needs/priorities of District 28 constituents: agribusiness, tourism, transportation infrastructure that provides for both, affordable housing, job creation.
• Ensure the new governor, administartion and legislature understand the value of District 28's people and their products to the value of Arkansas.
• Bring our fair share of tax dollars back to the District.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Representation for all. Economic development. Public education.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to people that get things done, are fair to those they work with and who are around them, hold others accountable for their performance and actions, can articulate a vision that has specific components, and then lead by example to make that vision a reality. These people can be small business owners, senior executives, military or government officials, farmers, machine technicians, religious leaders, janitors, truck drivers, sales people, customer service representatives...all have a contribution and can lead by example, often without fanfare or acknowledgment. The leadership and mentorship of Air Force General David Jones, US Air Force Chief of Staff and Chairmnan of the Joint Chiefs of Staff comes to mind. The most senior officer of any military service, counselor to the President of the United States, statesman, friend to Airmen of all ranks, self-made man, and focused decision-maker...his mission was to make the Air Force and the US military better when he departed. And he did. He mastered working with people, flying jet airplanes above the speed of sound, creating million dollar budgets, collaborating with opponents to reach a consensus for everyone's benefit. He did all of this with no college degree. Humble. Articulate. Gentleman. I would follow him anywhere, anytime.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity. Truthfulness. Honesty. Passion. Decisiveness. Collaborative teambuilding.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Simple: that I served for others and did my best for them.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible; it's full of education and direction for all...and anything Tom Clancey.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessary! Were that the case, we'd have an industry of elected government officials even larger than we already have. Someone can have carisma to influence people and obtain votes to get elected, but no real skill set or experience to use in daily opeartions of the legislature. It takes many dirrerent and diverse skills and experiences to provide insight to the variety and complexity of issues at the Capitol.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it's necessary for all concerned. Relationships are the foundation for collaboration and problem solving. The relationships, however, are not just with other state legislators, but also with elected representatives at the county and community level as well, e.g., county judges, sheriffs, quorm court members, and municipal officials.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No! Representation for the six counties of District 28.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely it is. But compromise has to be well-intentioned. Facts have to be fully understood. Eeveryone with 'skin in the game' has to be on the same page with regard to problem/issue identification and desired outcome.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2022 Elections

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Candidate

Arkansas State Senate District 28

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Arkansas State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Blake Johnson

Minority Leader:Greg Leding

Senators

District 1

Ben Gilmore (R)

District 2

Matt Stone (R)

District 3

Steve Crowell (R)

District 4

Jimmy Hickey (R)

District 5

Terry Rice (R)

District 6

Matt McKee (R)

District 7

Alan Clark (R)

District 8

Stephanie Flowers (D)

District 9

Reginald Murdock (D)

District 10

Ronald Caldwell (R)

District 11

Ricky Hill (R)

District 12

Jamie Scott (D)

District 13

Jane English (R)

District 14

Clarke Tucker (D)

District 15

Fredrick Love (D)

District 16

Kim Hammer (R)

District 17

Mark Johnson (R)

District 18

Jonathan Dismang (R)

District 19

Dave Wallace (R)

District 20

Dan Sullivan (R)

District 21

Blake Johnson (R)

District 22

John Payton (R)

District 23

Scott Flippo (R)

District 24

Missy Irvin (R)

District 25

Breanne Davis (R)

District 26

Vacant

District 27

Justin Boyd (R)

District 28

Bryan King (R)

District 29

Jim Petty (R)

District 30

Greg Leding (D)

District 31

Clint Penzo (R)

District 32

Joshua Bryant (R)

District 33

Bart Hester (R)

District 34

Jim Dotson (R)

District 35

Tyler Dees (R)

Republican Party (28)

Democratic Party (6)

Vacancies (1)