ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE PRIMARY RACES TO WATCH
Arkansas’s 2026 election cycle is beginning to take shape, with several legislative races already drawing early interest. The party filing period will run from November 3 to November 11, 2025, followed by the primary election on March 3, 2026. Below are six legislative districts where primary races are already forming, drawing a mix of familiar family names, seasoned lawmakers, and political newcomers.
Senate District 13
Republican state Sen. Jane English’s retirement opens a critical suburban Senate seat covering parts of Pulaski County, including Maumelle and North Little Rock. Republican Rep. Brandon Achor, a pharmacist and state representative from Maumelle, has received Sen. English’s endorsement. Achor is committed to making the state “a more viable business environment for those small businesses powering the economy of Arkansas.” He will face Mischa Martin in the Republican primary. Martin, a Sherwood resident, currently serves as a senior director at Casey Family Programs and previously held leadership roles at the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Martin’s mission is “to protect vulnerable children, serve families, and strengthen communities.” This race will be closely watched by those following education and economic development policy, as Sen. English’s departure also creates a vacancy in the Senate Education Committee chair position.
Senate District 15
The Democratic primary for Senate District 15 will be one to watch, as the wives of two sitting legislators face off against a sitting state representative. State Sen. Fred Love, a Democrat from Little Rock, is vacating his seat due to term limits. State Rep. Tara Shephard, the first candidate to announce, has represented Little Rock in the House since 2023 and is the adult education director at Shorter College. Shephard has been endorsed by former state Sen. Linda Chesterfield, current state Sen. Jamie Scott, and Pine Bluff Mayor Vivian Flowers. Shephard will face outgoing Sen. Love’s wife, ShaRhonda Love, and term-limited Rep. Fred Allen’s wife, Charity Smith-Allen, in a three-way primary. Love is the Director of Community Health and Safety for Arkansas Children's and former executive director of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. Her platform includes “improving access to healthcare for all Arkansans and combating food insecurity.” Education will be a top priority for Smith-Allen, who brings experience in education, public health, and community leadership. Smith-Allen served as Assistant Commissioner of Education for the State of Arkansas and Vice President of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. With three candidates in the race, a runoff is possible. Arkansas law requires a candidate to win more than 50% of the primary vote to avoid a runoff.
House District 42
Republican Rep. Stephen Meeks of Greenbrier is term-limited after 15 years in office, creating a vacancy in House District 42. The district includes portions of Van Buren, Faulkner, and Cleburne counties. Two Republican business owners have announced campaigns for the open seat. Jeremy Riddle is a real estate developer, farmer, former Greenbrier School Board member, and partner of Arkansas Home Pharmacy in Clinton. Riddle seeks to “give a voice to the people of our community and the great state of Arkansas.” Scout Stubbs, also of Greenbrier, owns vape and hemp retail stores and a dog boarding company. Stubbs vows “to advocate for smaller government, lower taxes, and personal freedoms.”
House District 52
Three Yell County Republicans are vying to replace Republican Rep. Marcus Richmond following his announcement that he would not seek re-election. Brent Montgomery is a small business owner, cattle farmer, lifelong resident of Yell County, and Justice of the Peace from Ola. Crystal Malloy is a small business owner, member of the Dardanelle City Council, and has a passion for “strengthening family-owned businesses and protecting rural values.” Mike Jones of Dardanelle is a cow farmer, owns a row crop operation, and is a lifetime member of the Arkansas Gun Owners Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. House District 52 covers parts of Scott, Yell, and Sebastian counties. This is another primary to watch for a potential runoff.
House District 81
Republican Rep. R.J. Hawk of Bryant, who is serving his first term in the Arkansas House, is facing a primary challenge from Aaron Hansen, a collision technician from Bryant. Hawk’s conservative policies include “limiting government regulations, cutting taxes and opposing foreign influence in Arkansas.” Hansen has pledged to donate 100% of his salary to local charities, fight to end personal property tax, and promote transparency through roll call votes. The race for House District 81, which includes the cities of Bryant, Alexander, Shannon Hills, and parts of Benton in Saline County, stands out as one of the few incumbent primary challenges thus far.
House District 94
Laura “Missy” Wardlaw is running to replace her husband Republican Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, who is term-limited, for a House seat in southeast Arkansas. Drawing on her experience working in healthcare, Wardlaw plans to focus on improving healthcare access, supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. Wardlaw faces John Kyle Day, a history professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. House District 94 includes Drew County and portions of Bradley and Desha counties. Rep. Wardlaw’s departure also opens up the chairmanship of the House Public Health Committee.
Additional candidates may enter these races ahead of the November 2025 filing deadline, but these contests already signal a busy and competitive primary season in Arkansas.