JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Registered voters in Arkansas cast their ballots March 5 in a preferential primary, choosing to participate either as a Democrat or Republican. Ballots also include statewide nonpartisan races for judicial positions.
Early voting begins in Arkansas on Feb. 20.
To vote, citizens need to be registered with the county clerk’s office where you reside. The last day to register is Monday, Feb. 5. To check your voter registration status, go here ».
For those not registered, it is recommended to visit your local county clerk’s office on or before the deadline on Feb. 5. However, the proper voter registration form mailed with a postmark date no later than Feb. 5 will also be accepted. Registration forms may be downloaded in English or Spanish. Applications for absentee ballots and information for members of the military and other citizens who are overseas can be found here.
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To see an actual ballot for your location, go to https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview, fill out your registration information, and then look for the sample ballot links at the bottom of your registration detail page.
Below is what voters can expect to see on the March 5 ballot, along with high profile races in counties around Region 8.
NATIONAL
All voters will see these national races, depending on their party ballot choice.
U.S. President:
Joseph R. Biden, Jr – Democrat
Marianne Williamson – Democrat
Dean Phillips – Democrat
Donald J. Trump – Republican
Nikki Haley – Republican
Ryan L. Binkley – Republican
NOTE: Ark. District 2 Congressman French Hill (R) for Cleburne and White Counties is running unopposed in the primary and will face a Democrat challenger in the Nov. General Election.
District 4 Congressman Rick Crawford (R) for most of Region 8 will run opposed in the primary and face a Democrat challenger this fall.
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NONPARTISAN
All voters will see these races, without regard to their party ballot choice.
State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 2
Judge Carlton D. Jones
State Supreme Court Justice Courtney Hudson
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Position 1
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Supreme Court Justice Barbara Womack Webb
Jay Martin
Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker
Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood
Voters in these judicial districts will see these races, without regard to their party ballot choice.
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Circuit Judge, District 2, Division 4, At-Large
Curtis Walker, Jr.
Doug Brimhall
State District Judge District 23, Division 1
Judge Eric Kennedy
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Chris O’Neill
State District Judge District 23, Division 2
Justin Mercer
Judge Mark Derrick
STATE SENATE
State Senate District 19
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Tommy Wagner – Republican
Senator Dave Wallace – Republican
State Senate District 27
Timmy Reid – Republican
State Rep. Stephen Walker – Republican
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STATE REPRESENTATIVE
State Rep. District 4
Justice Tink Albright – Republican
Jason Nazarenko – Republican
State Rep. District 30
State Rep. Fran Cavenaugh – Republican
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Coty W. Powers – Republican
Republican winner will face Democrat Hamilton Holmes in the fall
State Rep. District 32
Brandt Smith – Republican
State Rep. Jack Ladyman – Republican
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Republican winner will face Democrat David McAvoy in the fall
State Rep. District 35
Sherry Holliman – Democrat
Jessie McGruder – Democrat
Raymond Whiteside – Democrat
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Councilman Demetris Johnson, Jr. – Democrat
Justice Robert Thorne, Jr. – Republican
Gary Tobar – Republican
State Rep. District 63
Mayor Lincoln Barnett – Democrat
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Fred Leonard – Democrat
Constable Billy Thomen – Democrat
CRAIGHEAD
City of Bay Tax Proposal – A 1% sales and use tax to be added to the existing 1% sales and use tax already in effect.
City of Lake City – A 1% sales and use tax pledged to pay for bonds to be used for improvements to the Lake City water and sewer systems.
JP District 1
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Brad Noel – Republican
Paul House – Republican
Andrew Stricklin – Republican
Winner will face Democrat Jolene Mullet in the fall.
JP District 5
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Rick Myers – Republican
Don Mullenix – Republican
Winner will face Democrat Barbara Brown in the fall.
JP District 6
Darrell Cook – Republican
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Michael Stull – Republican
JP District 7
Richard Rogers – Republican
Steve Floyd – Republican
Winner will face Democrat Chenoa Summers in the fall.
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Constable D13
Scott Armstrong – Republican
Julian Dan Walker – Republican
GREENE
City of Paragould – New 0.75% sales and use tax within the city earmarked for public safety purposes.
JP District 6
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JP Phillip Keeling – Republican
Don Lambert – Republican
JP District 11
John Shipman – Republican
Kirk Brinkley – Republican
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Bula Constable
Constable Kevin Gillmore – Republican
Joe Pete Higdon – Republican
Dalton Constable
Lonnie Holloway – Republican
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Constable David Howell – Republican
Paragould City Council Ward 1, Position 1
Tim Roswell – Republican
Bryan Privett – Republican
Paragould City Council Ward 3, Position 1
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Dustin Rumsey – Republican
Jason Lincoln – Republican
Paragould City Council Ward 4, Position 1
Charles Nelson – Republican
Alderman Neal Adams – Republican
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CLAY
Corning School District Millage – Proposed school tax levy of 36.5 mills, representing a 5 mill increase over current rate – For construction of a new high school – This may appear on some Randolph County ballots where voters live within the Corning school district.
Piggott School Board Position #3
Fallon Winscott
Will Jett
Piggott School Board Position #5
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Richard Smart
Kristin Crittenden
JP District 3
Jeff Featherson – Republican
JP Patrick Patterson – Republican
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JP District 6
Jeremy Woods – Republican
Dennis Haines – Republican
SHARP
JP District 9
Anna M. Stewart – Republican
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Zach Baxter – Republican
JACKSON
Jackson County School District Millage – Proposed tax levy of 40.0 mills represents 1.5 mil increase in maintenance and operation and 2.5 mill for debt service for 4 mill increase over current rate, includes security improvements, safe room, and HVAC for Swifton gym.
JP District 4
Bryan Smith – Republican
Stephen Casteel – Republican
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Brock Township Constable
James O. Thompson – Republican
James ‘Mickey’ Brock – Republican
Newport City Council Ward 4, Position 1
Donny Ivie – Republican
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Allen Edwards – Republican
Tuckerman City Council Ward 2, Position 1
Terry Adams – Republican
Steven Finney – Republican
Tuckerman City Council Ward 3, Position 1
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Ricky E. Herring – Republican
Kyler Soden – Republican
RANDOLPH
Richardson Constable
Larry Rogers – Republican
Victor E. Blevins – Republican
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LAWRENCE
JP District 1
Pardo Roberts – Republican
Matthew Baldridge – Republican
JP District 6
Jeff Yates – Republican
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Jeff Williams – Republican
JP District 9
Troy Owens – Republican
Andrea Dale Barnhill – Republican
Winner will face incumbent Alex Latham, running as an independent
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Duty Township Constable
Cord Boggs – Republican
Shawn King – Republican
Reeds Creek Constable
Hunter Durham – Republican
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Jason Bristow – Republican
POINSETT
East Poinsett County School District Millage – Proposing 7.9 mill increase over current tax rate for new building for grades 7-12 and maintaining other school facilities.
CROSS
1% Sales and Use Tax Special Election – Tax to be collected for 48 months to assist in operating and maintaining hospital and related healthcare facilities.
Ella McCarthy covers state politics and the state Supreme Court. Before joining the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, she covered Austin City Hall for the Austin American-Statesman, and before that, held a fellowship with ABC News in Washington, D.C., where she covered national politics. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, her work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, the Missouri Press Association and LION Publishers in the LION local journalism awards. She contributed to the Statesman’s coverage of a two-city shooting rampage that won a national Edward R. Murrow Award for breaking news coverage.
KATV ABC 7 in Little Rock, Arkansas covers news, sports, weather and the local community in the city and the surrounding area, including Hot Springs, Conway, Pine Bluff, Jacksonville, Sherwood, Stuttgart, Benton, Bauxite, East End, Scott, Pinnacle, Maumelle, Gibson, Landmark and Hensley.
The Little Rock Marathon welcomes runners of all experience levels to run its course each year.
That was best exemplified when its winners crossed the finish line.
The marathon featured 1,427 entrants, ages 16 to 80, with race veterans and first-timers of all ages competing Sunday morning.
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This was the 10th marathon for Benjamin Williams, a 42-year-old Baltimore resident originally from Australia. He hadn’t won prior Sunday but finished second in a marathon in Memphis in 2025 and was determined to finally get over the hump in Little Rock.
“It’s amazing,” Williams said. “I mean, it’s such a beautiful course, and it’s my first time in Arkansas. I love the city, and I’m just so excited to do it.
“I was desperate to win this one. I went to the front in the first mile, and then I ran on my own basically the whole way.”
Williams held an advantage of nearly a minute on the next-closet runner through the first 7 1/2 miles. By the time he hit the half marathon point, 13.1 miles, his lead was just shy of four minutes thanks to a 5:41 pace.
Williams won the marathon with a chip time of 2:32:07. Tyreek Gilkey, 22, of Fort Smith came second with a 2:39:02 chip time. Alec Hewett, 33, of Colorado Springs, Colo., finished third with a chip time of 2:39:50.
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“Little Rock is beautiful,” Williams said. “You know, I was focused on the race, but I’ve been able to see it the last few days, just walking around this beautiful city. The course is actually really hard. There’s a hill as you go up to Hillcrest, that neighborhood. That was a long, brutal hill. And then they get you with a little one just here at the end as well. So, yeah, it was a good course, but tough.”
Williams made sure to mention just how far he’s come in his marathon running career after winning his first.
“This is my 10th,” Williams said. “So hopefully it’s by some other people. My first one took me four hours, and I’ve just slowly brought it down.”
Williams also won the 5K on Saturday with a chip time of 16:22.7.
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As for the women’s race, it was first-timer Holly Moser, 25, who claimed first place. The Greeley, Colo., native who recently moved to Jacksonville finished seventh overall and first among female runners with a time of 2:53:23. She was second or third at each of the first five checkpoints before her 6:36 pace from Mile 21 to Mile 23 pushed her into first.
Moser, like most runners that compete in the Little Rock Marathon, highlighted the hills in the western portion of the course, particularly in the Hillcrest neighborhood, as a challenge.
“You guys managed to find every single hill that exists in the city somehow,” Moser said with a laugh. “I’m not sure how you did it, but you did. The energy was there, so it’s easy to get up those hills. And it was fun to kind of sightsee Little Rock. I still haven’t been to a lot of the neighborhood areas since we live in Jacksonville, so it was nice to get to see like a new area that I haven’t gotten to see before.”
Like Williams, Moser also ran the 5K the day before running the marathon. She finished seventh overall and third among women in that with a time of 19:49.4.
Leah Thorvilson, 47, of Bella Vista finished second among women with a chip time of 2:54:49. Erin Bellissimo, 41, of Monument, Colo., finished third with a 3:02:05 chip time.
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One other finish of note was Aaron McCaleb, who was the first marathon athlete overall to finish with a time of 1:59:48. Competing in the hand cycle division, McCaleb, 22, finished nearly 45 minutes before the nearest cyclist.
Temperatures remained favorable and fan support turnout was strong Sunday, giving competitors like Moser the boost they needed.
“The weather was perfect for the first like two hours, and then that sun came out and it got a little warm, but the support was unmatched,” Moser said. “I mean, every single booth that you passed, the vibes were high. Everyone was cheering. People were screaming your name. It’s easy to run fast when you got that many fans.”
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge as the sun rises over the Arkansas River during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge into North Little Rock during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
A group of spectators watch runners cross the Broadway Bridge during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
A runner heads toward the finish line on the final stretch of the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge into North Little Rock during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge into North Little Rock during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Holly Moser heads toward the finish line on the final stretch of the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Moser would go on to win the women’s race. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Benjamin Williams heads toward the finish line on the final stretch of the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Williams would go on to win the men’s race. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Benjamin Williams heads toward the finish line on the final stretch of the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Williams would go on to win the men’s race. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Runners cross the Broadway Bridge into North Little Rock during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Competitors run past the Arkansas state Capitol during the Little Rock Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. See more photos at arkansasonline.com/32runners/ (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Colin Murphey)
Katie Bowser stops to give her husband Larry Bowser a kiss before turning onto Tenth Street from Main Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Katie was running the full marathon. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Marion Milwee, 16, (from left) Jennifer Milwee and Shannon Butler Dixon cheer as Virginia Milwee, their sister, daughter and niece respectively turns on to Commerce Street from Ninth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Melinda Asewicz holds up her glass in salute as runners move west on Ninth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
A runner moves east along Fourth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
A runner gets a drink from Andrea Rothman as he moves east along Fourth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
A runner moves east along Fourth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Runners move east along Fourth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Holly Moser, 25, of Jacksonville, crosses the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Moser won the women’s race with a time of 2:53:23 the finish line https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Holly Moser, 25, of Jacksonville, runs to the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Moser won the women’s race with a time of 2:53:23 the finish line https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Benjamin Williams of crosses the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock.Williams won the men’s race with a time 2:32:07. https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Benjamin Williams of crosses the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock.Williams won the men’s race with a time 2:32:07. https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Benjamin Williams of Baltimore runs on Ninth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Williams won the men’s race with a time 2:32:07. https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Benjamin Williams of Baltimore runs on Fourth Street during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock.Williams won the men’s race with a time 2:32:07. https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Anne Henry Milner stretches out on the floor of the Statehouse Convention Center after completing the half marathon portion of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Runners cross the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
A runner crosses the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
A runner crosses the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Runners cross the finish line during the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Runners take to the course at the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
Sam (left) and Elliot Driver talk before the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Elliot was running in the half marathon. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0302Runners/….(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)..
Maly Tabor (left) and Mary Kate Reid stretch before the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. Both women were running in the half marathon. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0302Runners/….(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)..
A group of runners walk down Main Street on their way to the Statehouse Convention Center for the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0302Runners/….(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)..
Volunteers gather outside of the Statehouse Convention Center before the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0302Runners/….(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)..
A runner walks towards the starting line of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0302Runners/….(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)..
Runners take to the course at the start of the 2026 Little Rock Marathon Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Little Rock. See more photos at https://www.arkansasonline.com/0301Runners/..(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Adam Vogler)
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