Special election called to fill vacancy created by Arkansas lawmaker’s resignation

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussions of domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

A special election to fill the House District 8 vacancy resulting from Austin McCollum’s resignation following domestic violence charges will coincide with the Nov. 3 general election, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Friday. 

The Bentonville Republican stepped down earlier this month, just days after being arrested on charges of aggravated assault against his wife. Sanders and other top Republicans urged him to resign after the arrest.

Arkansas state Rep. Austin McCollum resigns after domestic violence arrest

McCollum, who served in the House since 2017, was not running for reelection and won the Republican nomination for Benton County judge in March. 

Parties shall issue certificates of nomination by noon Aug. 28 and candidates must file by 5 p.m. that same day, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Independent candidates must submit petitions to the secretary of state’s office by noon Aug. 28. Petitions can be circulated from Monday through noon Wednesday. 

The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of McCollum’s term, which ends in January. McCollum’s resignation leaves Republicans with a 79-20 majority in the House.

Republican Brian Armas, who serves on the Benton County Quorum Court, is running unopposed in November’s general election for a new two-year term to represent House District 8, which includes a portion of northeastern Benton County. 

His wife Kara was nominated by the Republican Party of Benton County on Aug. 13 to run for McCollum’s seat in the special election, the group’s chairman confirmed Friday. The Democratic Party of Benton County will hold a special convention Monday to select its nominee.

McCollum’s vacancy is the fifth that will be filled in 2026. Republican Sen. Brad Simon and Democratic Rep. Alex Holladay won special elections in March to represent Senate District 26 and House District 70, respectively. 

Republican Bill Teeter won the House District 44 special election earlier this month to replace the late Republican Rep. Stan Berry.  

Harrell Wilson won the Republican nomination for the Senate District 1 seat Tuesday. He’ll face Eudora Mayor Tomeka Butler, the only Democrat who filed to run for the seat, in November’s special general election. 

The candidates are vying to replace former Republican Sen. Ben Gilmore who resigned in June to work for Attorney General Tim Griffin. The winner of November’s general election will serve until the end of Gilmore’s term in 2029, and represent a district that includes Ashley, Bradley, Chicot and Cleveland counties, and parts of Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.

Republicans hold a 28-6 majority in the Senate with the vacancy.