2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election
The 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next governor of Arkansas . Incumbent Republican governor Asa Hutchinson was term-limited and could not seek a third term. Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders , daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee , defeated Democrat Chris Jones to become the first woman ever elected to the office, and was sworn in on January 10, 2023.
Primary elections in Arkansas were held on May 24. Runoff elections for instances where no candidate receives over 50% of the vote were scheduled for June 21. Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders won the Republican nomination, while Chris Jones won the Democratic nomination.[ 1]
Leading up to the Republican primary, Sanders received many endorsements from key Republican figures, including Donald Trump , Mike Pence , incumbent Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas' entire U.S. Congressional delegation , and the majority of Republicans in both state legislative chambers. Her primary victory was not remotely close, as she won every county in the state with at least 70% of the vote.
As Arkansas is a Republican stronghold , her primary victory virtually guaranteed she would win the general election, in which she defeated Jones by 28 points. Jones became the first Democrat to win Washington County since 2010 , and Sanders became the first Republican to win majority-Black Crittenden County since her father in 1998 , winning the county by one vote. This was the only 2022 election where Washington County voted against the Republican nominee. This is the first time ever that the Republican Party won three straight gubernatorial elections in the state's history.
Sanders became the first female governor of Arkansas. With the election of Leslie Rutledge as lieutenant governor, Arkansas, along with Massachusetts , became the first two U.S. states to elect both a female governor and female lieutenant governor to serve at the same time.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Francis "Doc" Washburn, radio personality[ 3]
Withdrew
Endorsements
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
U.S. Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
U.S. Governors
State officials
Bob Ballinger , state senator from District 5 (2019–2023)[ 12] Sonia Eubanks Barker , state representative from District 7 (2016–present)[ 12] Howard Beaty , state representative from District 9 (2021–present)[ 12] Mary Bentley , state representative from District 73 (2015–present)[ 12] Cecile Bledsoe, state senator from District 3 (2013–present)[ 12]
Ken Bragg , state representative from District 15 (2013–present)[ 12] Karilyn Brown, state representative from District 41 (2015–present)[ 12]
Ron Caldwell , state senator from District 23 (2013–present)[ 12] Alan Clark , state senator from District 13 (2013–present)[ 12] Cameron Cooper , state representative from District 44 (2019–present)[ 12] Bruce Cozart , state representative from District 24 (2011–present)[ 12] Carol Dalby , state representative from District 1 (2017–present)[ 12] Breanne Davis , state senator from District 29 (2018–present)[ 12] Marsh Davis , state representative from District 61 (2019–present)[ 12] Jonathan Dismang , state senator from District 28 (2013–present)[ 12] Les Eaves , state representative from District 46 (2015–present)[ 12] Jane English , state senator from District 34 (2013–present)[ 12] John Eubanks , state representative from District 74 (2011–present)[ 12] Charlene Fite , state representative from District 80 (2013–present)[ 12] Lanny Fite , state representative from District 23 (2015–present)[ 12] Scott Flippo , Majority Leader of the Arkansas Senate (2021–present) and state senator from District 17 (2015–present)[ 12] Tony Furman , state representative from District 28 (2021–present)[ 12] Trent Garner , state senator from District 27 (2017–present)[ 12] Jimmy Gazaway , state representative from District 57 (2017–present)[ 12] Justin Gonzales , state representative from District 19 (2015–present)[ 12] Michelle Gray , state representative from District 62 (2015–present)[ 12] Tim Griffin , Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (2015–present)[ 12] Delia Haak , state representative from District 91 (2021–present)[ 12] Kim Hammer , state senator from District 33 (2019–present)[ 12] Spencer Hawks , state representative from District 70 (2019–present)[ 12] Bart Hester , state senator from District 1 (2013–present)[ 12] Jimmy Hickey Jr. , President pro tempore of the Arkansas Senate (2021–present) and state senator from District 11 (2013–present)[ 12] Ricky Hill , state senator from District 29 (2018–present)[ 12] David Hillman , state representative from District 13 (2013–present)[ 12] Mike Holcomb , state representative from District 10 (2013–present)[ 12] Missy Irvin , state senator from District 18 (2013–present)[ 12] Lane Jean , state representative from District 2 (2013–present) and District 4 (2011–2012)[ 12] Joe Jett , state representative from District 56 (2013–present)[ 12] Vernon Jones , state representative for District 91 (2017–2021) and District 71 (1993–2001) [ 13] Jack Ladyman , state representative from District 59 (2015–present)[ 12] Mark Lowery , state representative from District 39 (2013–2023)[ 14] Robin Lundstrum , state representative from District 87 (2015–present)[ 12] Roger Lynch , state representative from District 14 (2017–present)[ 12] Julie Mayberry, state representative from District 27 (2015–present)[ 12]
Austin McCollum , state representative from District 95 (2017–present)[ 12] Mark McElroy , state representative from District 11 (2021–present)[ 12] Aaron Pilkington , state representative from District 69 (2017–present)[ 12] Mathew Pitsch , state senator from District 8 (2019–2023)[ 12] Jason Rapert , state senator from District 35 (2013–present) and District 18 (2011–2013)[ 12] Terry Rice , state senator from District 9 (2015–present)[ 12] Marcus Richmond, state representative from District 21 (2015–present)[ 12]
Bill Sample , state senator from District 14 (2011–present)[ 12] Matthew Shepherd , Speaker of the State Representative (2018–present) and state representative from District 6 (2011–present)[ 12] Nelda Speaks, state representative from District 100 (2015–present)[ 12]
Gary Stubblefield , state senator from District 6 (2013–present)[ 12] James Sturch , state senator from District 19 (2019–present)[ 12] Dan Sullivan , state senator from District 21 (2021–present)[ 12] David Tollett , state representative from District 12 (2021–present)[ 12] Dwight Tosh , state representative from District 52 (2015–present)[ 12] Kendon Underwood , state representative from District 90 (2021–present)[ 12] DeAnn Vaught , state representative from District 4 (2015–present)[ 12] Jeff Wardlaw , state representative from District 8 (2011–present)[ 12] Danny Watson , state representative from District 3 (2017–present)[ 12] Richard Womack , state representative from District 18 (2013–present)[ 12] Individuals
Organizations
Polling
Results
Results by county:
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Endorsements
Chris Jones
Newspaper and other media
Organizations
Supha Xayprasith-Mays
Governors
Statewide officials
Polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Anthony
Chris
Supha
Jay
James
Undecided
Hendrix College [ 18] May 2, 2022
597 (LV)
± 5.0%
3%
60%
2%
3%
2%
31%
Results
Results by county: 20–30%
30–40%
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
Libertarian convention
The Libertarian nominee, prison chaplain Ricky Harrington from Pine Bluff
Candidates
Nominee
Independents
Candidates
Declared
William E. Gates, senior pastor at the church of Christian Jewish Freedom in Little Rock[ 40]
Write-ins
Candidates
Declared
Dan Nelson, activist[ 41]
Elvis Presley, perennial candidate[ 42]
Michael Woodard[ 41]
General election
Predictions
Endorsements
Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R)
U.S. Executive Branch officials
U.S. senators
U.S. representatives
U.S. Governors
State officials
Bob Ballinger , state senator from District 5 (2019–present)[ 12] Sonia Eubanks Barker , state representative from District 7 (2016–present)[ 12] Howard Beaty , state representative from District 9 (2021–present)[ 12] Mary Bentley , state representative from District 73 (2015–present)[ 12] Cecile Bledsoe, state senator from District 3 (2013–present)[ 12]
Ken Bragg , state representative from District 15 (2013–present)[ 12] Karilyn Brown, state representative from District 41 (2015–present)[ 12]
Ron Caldwell , state senator from District 23 (2013–present)[ 12] Alan Clark , state senator from District 13 (2013–present)[ 12] Cameron Cooper , state representative from District 44 (2019–present)[ 12] Bruce Cozart , state representative from District 24 (2011–present)[ 12] Carol Dalby , state representative from District 1 (2017–present)[ 12] Breanne Davis , state senator from District 29 (2018–present)[ 12] Marsh Davis , state representative from District 61 (2019–present)[ 12] Jonathan Dismang , state senator from District 28 (2013–present)[ 12] Les Eaves , state representative from District 46 (2015–present)[ 12] Jane English , state senator from District 34 (2013–present)[ 12] John Eubanks , state representative from District 74 (2011–present)[ 12] Charlene Fite , state representative from District 80 (2013–present)[ 12] Lanny Fite , state representative from District 23 (2015–present)[ 12] Scott Flippo , Majority Leader of the Arkansas Senate (2021–present) and state senator from District 17 (2015–present)[ 12] Tony Furman , state representative from District 28 (2021–present)[ 12] Trent Garner , state senator from District 27 (2017–present)[ 12] Jimmy Gazaway , state representative from District 57 (2017–present)[ 12] Justin Gonzales , state representative from District 19 (2015–present)[ 12] Michelle Gray , state representative from District 62 (2015–present)[ 12] Tim Griffin , Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (2015–present)[ 12] Delia Haak , state representative from District 91 (2021–present)[ 12] Kim Hammer , state senator from District 33 (2019–present)[ 12] Spencer Hawks , state representative from District 70 (2019–present)[ 12] Bart Hester , state senator from District 1 (2013–present)[ 12] Jimmy Hickey Jr. , President pro tempore of the Arkansas Senate (2021–present) and state senator from District 11 (2013–present)[ 12] Ricky Hill , state senator from District 29 (2018–present)[ 12] David Hillman , state representative from District 13 (2013–present)[ 12] Mike Holcomb , state representative from District 10 (2013–present)[ 12] Missy Irvin , state senator from District 18 (2013–present)[ 12] Lane Jean , state representative from District 2 (2013–present) and District 4 (2011–2012)[ 12] Joe Jett , state representative from District 56 (2013–present)[ 12] Vernon Jones , state representative for District 91 (2017–2021) and District 71 (1993–2001) [ 13] Jack Ladyman , state representative from District 59 (2015–present)[ 12] Mark Lowery , state representative from District 39 (2013–present)[ 14] Robin Lundstrum , state representative from District 87 (2015–present)[ 12] Roger Lynch , state representative from District 14 (2017–present)[ 12] Julie Mayberry, state representative from District 27 (2015–present)[ 12]
Austin McCollum , state representative from District 95 (2017–present)[ 12] Mark McElroy , state representative from District 11 (2021–present)[ 12] Aaron Pilkington , state representative from District 69 (2017–present)[ 12] Mathew Pitsch , state senator from District 8 (2019–present)[ 12] Jason Rapert , state senator from District 35 (2013–present) and District 18 (2011–2013)[ 12] Terry Rice , state senator from District 9 (2015–present)[ 12] Marcus Richmond, state representative from District 21 (2015–present)[ 12]
Bill Sample , state senator from District 14 (2011–present)[ 12] Matthew Shepherd , Speaker of the State Representative (2018–present) and state representative from District 6 (2011–present)[ 12] Nelda Speaks, state representative from District 100 (2015–present)[ 12]
Gary Stubblefield , state senator from District 6 (2013–present)[ 12] James Sturch , state senator from District 19 (2019–present)[ 12] Dan Sullivan , state senator from District 21 (2021–present)[ 12] David Tollett , state representative from District 12 (2021–present)[ 12] Dwight Tosh , state representative from District 52 (2015–present)[ 12] Kendon Underwood , state representative from District 90 (2021–present)[ 12] DeAnn Vaught , state representative from District 4 (2015–present)[ 12] Jeff Wardlaw , state representative from District 8 (2011–present)[ 12] Danny Watson , state representative from District 3 (2017–present)[ 12] Richard Womack , state representative from District 18 (2013–present)[ 12] Individuals
Organizations
Chris Jones (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
Polling
Aggregate polls
Source of poll
Dates
Dates
Sarah
Chris
Undecided[ b]
Margin
FiveThirtyEight [ 52] August 31 – October 31, 2022
November 3, 2022
54.4%
36.1%
9.5%
Sanders +18.3
Graphical summary
Hypothetical polling
Sarah Huckabee Sanders vs. generic Democrat
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Sarah
Generic
Other
Undecided
Hendrix College [ 59] February 7–8, 2022
961 (LV)
± 4.4%
44%
34%
8%
15%
Generic Republican vs. generic Democrat
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Generic
Generic
Undecided
University of Arkansas [ 60] October 12–24, 2021
800 (A)
± 3.5%
46%
21%
34%
555 (LV)
± 4.2%
50%
23%
27%
Debates
Results
Swing by county
Democratic — +>15%
Democratic — +12.5–15%
Democratic — +10-12.5%
Democratic — +7.5–10%
Democratic — +5-7.5%
Democratic — +2.5-5%
Democratic — +0-2.5%
Republican — +0-2.5%
Republican — +2.5-5%
Republican — +5-7.5%
Republican — +7.5–10%
Republican — +10-12.5%
Republican — +12.5–15%
Republican — +>15%
Trend by county
Democratic — +>15%
Democratic — +12.5–15%
Democratic — +10-12.5%
Democratic — +7.5–10%
Democratic — +5-7.5%
Democratic — +2.5-5%
Democratic — +0-2.5%
Republican — +0-2.5%
Republican — +2.5-5%
Republican — +5-7.5%
Republican — +7.5–10%
Republican — +10-12.5%
Republican — +12.5–15%
Republican — +>15%
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
By congressional district
Huckabee Sanders won all 4 congressional districts.[ 63]
See also
Notes
^ a b c d e Key:
^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
References
^ "Arkansas Primary Election Results" . The New York Times . May 24, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved October 3, 2022 .^ "Sarah Sanders Running for Arkansas Governor" . Associated Press the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021 .^ "Republican Doc Washburn Enters Arkansas Governors Race" . Arkansas Money & Politics . February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 27, 2022 .^ Brock, Roby (February 8, 2021). "Griffin to exit Governor's race, will seek AG post" . Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved February 8, 2021 . ^ Brock, Roby (November 9, 2021). "AG Rutledge enters Lt. Governor's race" . Talk Business & Politics . Retrieved November 9, 2021 . ^ a b Jacob Jarvis (January 26, 2021). "Donald Trump Endorses 'Warrior' Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor" . Newsweek . ^ a b Julia Manchester (March 15, 2021). "Pence endorses Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Arkansas governor" . The Hill . ^ a b Brantley, Max (March 26, 2021). "Won't you come home, Sarah Sanders? She raises money with Mike Pompeo in Texas while Leslie Rutledge hangs out in Arkansas with Tracy Lawrence" . Arkansas Times . Retrieved January 9, 2022 . ^ a b c d Bratton, Regina (October 4, 2021). "CPAC Endorses Sarah Huckabee Sanders" . American Conservative Union . Retrieved January 9, 2022 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Stimson, Brie (November 13, 2021). "Sarah Sanders snaps up Arkansas endorsements from governor, congressional delegation" . Fox News . Retrieved November 13, 2021 . ^ a b Counts, Chris (January 25, 2021). "Sarah Huckabee Sanders officially announces her candidacy for Arkansas Governor" . KARK . Retrieved January 9, 2022 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt Gladden, Drew (November 18, 2021). "101 Arkansas Legislators Endorse Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Governor" . Arkansas Times . Retrieved January 9, 2021 . ^ a b Brantley, Max (March 16, 2021). "Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Running for governor everywhere but Arkansas" . Arkansas Times . Retrieved March 17, 2021 . ^ a b Brawner, Steve (November 24, 2021). "Republicans fall in line behind Sarah | Steve Brawner" . Times Record . Retrieved January 10, 2021 . ^ a b Goldberg, Paul. "Breaking: Kid Rock backs Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor" . News Thud . Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021 . ^ a b Guardian Staff (January 25, 2021). "Sarah Sanders, former Trump press secretary, runs for Arkansas governor" . The Guardian . Retrieved January 9, 2022 . ^ a b "2022 Candidates" . www.maggieslist.org . Retrieved January 2, 2021 .^ a b Hendrix College ^ Remington Research (R) ^ Remington Research (R) ^ Hendrix College ^ a b "2022 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election" .^ "Chris Jones, a nuclear engineer and political newcomer, enters Arkansas governor's race" . NBC News . June 15, 2021.^ Jared, George (March 26, 2021). "Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022" . Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved March 29, 2021 . James "Rus" Russell has also announced for the Democratic nomination for governor as has Anthony Bland, who ran for Lt. Governor in 2018. ^ "A pro-life Democrat enters the governor's race" . Magnolia Reporter. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022 .^ Brock, Roby (February 7, 2021). "Political newcomer James Russell to seek Democratic nomination for Governor in 2022" . KATV Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021 . ^ "Supha Xayprasith-Mays announces run for Arkansas governor in 2022" . KFSM. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021 .^ "Arkansas mother, foster care advocate announces run for lieutenant governor" . KARK . September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021 .^ @GregLeding (January 24, 2021). "This is some excellent company, Kim, and I appreciate it—but it won't be me" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @ClarkeTucker (January 24, 2021). "Thank you Kim! It's not going to be me. But I do appreciate the support" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Endorses Chris Jones in Democratic Primary" . SWARK Today . May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022 .^ a b "314 Action Fund Endorses Nuclear Engineer Chris Jones in AR-GOV Race" . 314 Action ^ "Collective PAC Endorses Chris Jones for Governor" . AR Money & Politics . June 29, 2021.^ a b "Democracy for America Endorses Dr. Chris Jones for Governor of Arkansas" . SWARK Today . May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022 .^ a b Wickline, Michael (March 27, 2021). "In governor's race, business exec says inclusion a priority" . Northwest Arkansas Democratic-Gazette . Retrieved April 1, 2021 . ^ "Richard Leon Mays (1943–)" . Encyclopedia of Arkansas . Retrieved April 1, 2021 .^ Hale, Tyler (April 23, 2021). "Harrington Declares Intent to Seek Arkansas Governor's Office in 2022" . Arkansas Money and Politics . Retrieved April 24, 2021 . ^ "Home" . Ricky Harrington for Governor . Retrieved March 31, 2022 . Ricky resides in Pine Bluff. ^ Brawner, Steve (February 21, 2022). "Libertarians nominate more than 50, including Harrington for governor" . Talk Business and Politics . Retrieved February 28, 2022 . ^ "William E. Gates joins crowded Arkansas governor's race" . Southwest Times Record . July 20, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021 .^ a b "Candidate Information" . Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2022 .^ "Elvis Presley listed among Arkansas gubernatorial candidates" . Washington Examiner . February 26, 2022.^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved February 4, 2021 .^ "Gubernatorial Ratings" . Inside Elections . Retrieved February 19, 2021 .^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .^ "Arkansas Governor Race 2022" . Politico . April 1, 2022.^ "2022 Governor Races" . RCP . January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022 .^ "2022 Election Forecast" . Fox News . May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022 .^ "2022 Election Forecast" . FiveThirtyEight . June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022 .^ Szymanski, Joe (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Unveils Final 2022 Midterm Ratings" . Elections Daily . Retrieved November 28, 2022 . ^ "Arkansas Endorsed Candidates 2022 | CWA District 6" . cwad6.org . Retrieved December 2, 2022 .^ FiveThirtyEight ^ University of Arkansas ^ Hendrix College ^ Remington Research Group (R) ^ Hendrix College ^ Echelon Insights ^ Remington Research Group (R) ^ Hendrix College ^ University of Arkansas ^ Link ^ "2022 General Election and Nonpartisan Judicial Runoff Election" . Retrieved May 7, 2023 .^ "2022 AR GOV and SEN by CD" . Google Docs . Retrieved August 21, 2024 .
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