2014 Arkansas elections

Summary

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Arkansas on November 4, 2014. All of Arkansas' executive officers were up for election as well as a United States Senate seat, and all of Arkansas' four seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on May 20, 2014, for offices that need to nominate candidates. Primary runoffs, necessary if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on June 10, 2014.

Governor edit

Incumbent Democratic Governor Mike Beebe was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term as governor.

Democratic nominee former U.S. Representative Mike Ross, Republican nominee former U.S. Representative Asa Hutchinson, Green nominee Josh Drake[1] and Libertarian nominee Frank Gilbert[1] contested in the general election.

Results edit

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2014[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Asa Hutchinson 470,429 55.4
Democratic Mike Ross 352,115 41.5
Libertarian Frank Gilbert 16,319 1.9
Green Josh Drake 9,729 1.1
Majority 118,314 13.94%
Total votes 848,592 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Lieutenant governor edit

2014 Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election
 
← 2010
2018 →
     
Nominee Tim Griffin John Burkhalter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 479,673 324,260
Percentage 57.2% 38.6%

 
County results
Griffin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Burkhalter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Lieutenant Governor before election

Vacant

Elected Lieutenant Governor

Tim Griffin
Republican

The office of lieutenant governor has been vacant since Republican Mark Darr resigned on February 1, 2014, while under investigation for ethics violations involving illegal use of campaign funds. In Arkansas, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately.

Republican primary

U.S. Representative Tim Griffin,[3] State Representative Debra Hobbs[4] and State Representative Andy Mayberry ran for the Republican nomination.[5] State Representative Charlie Collins had been in the race, but he withdrew after Griffin's entry.[6]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tim
Griffin
Debra
Hobbs
Andy
Mayberry
Undecided
Talk Business/Hendrix College April 29, 2014 1,516 ± 2.5% 54% 6% 15% 26%
Public Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 342 ± 5.3% 39% 8% 19% 34%
Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Griffin 109,851 63.4
Republican Andy Mayberry 35,703 20.6
Republican Debra Hobbs 27,803 16.0
Total votes 173,357 100.0

Former State Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter ran for the Democrats.[8] Little Rock School Board President Dianne Curry had been running, but she withdrew from the race.[9]

Libertarian Chris Olson also ran.[1]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tim
Griffin (R)
John
Burkhalter (D)
Christopher
Olson (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 46% 38% 6% 11%
Suffolk September 20–23, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 35% 42% 5% 18%
Public Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 42% 36% 4% 18%
Public Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 41% 32% 6% 21%
Public Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 840 ± 3.4% 39% 30% 31%
Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Griffin 479,673 57.2
Democratic John Burkhalter 324,260 38.6
Libertarian Christopher Olson 35,257 4.2
Majority 155,413 18.52%
Total votes 839,190 100.0
Republican hold

Attorney general edit

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.

State Representative Nate Steel ran for the Democrats. Attorney Zac White, who had considered running, endorsed Steel and instead ran for the state senate.[11]

Leslie Rutledge was the Republican nominee and emerged victorious.

Arkansas Attorney General election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leslie Rutledge 430,799 51.6
Democratic Nate Steel 360,680 43.2
Libertarian Aaron Cash 43,245 5.2
Majority 70,119 8.4%
Total votes 834,724 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Secretary of State edit

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Mark Martin ran for re-election to a second term in office.[12]

Arkansas Board of Election Commissioner and Pulaski County Election Commissioner Susan Inman ran for the Democrats.[13]

Libertarian Jacob Holloway also ran.[1]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Martin (R)
Susan
Inman (D)
Jacob
Holloway (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 47% 35% 6% 11%
Suffolk September 20–23, 2014 500 ± 4.4% 35% 34% 6% 25%
Public Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 43% 32% 5% 20%
Public Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 39% 33% 6% 21%
Arkansas Secretary of State election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Martin (incumbent) 506,384 60.6
Democratic Susan Inman 292,878 35.0
Libertarian Jacob Holloway 36,159 4.3
Majority 213,506 25.56%
Total votes 835,421 100.0
Republican hold

State Treasurer edit

2014 Arkansas State Treasurer election
 
← 2010
2018 →
 
Nominee Dennis Milligan Karen Sealy Garcia Chris Hayes
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
Popular vote 466,959 308,663 52,640
Percentage 56.4% 37.3% 6.3%

 
County Results
Milligan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Garcia:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

State Treasurer before election

Charles Robinson
Democratic

Elected State Treasurer

Dennis Milligan
Republican

Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Charles Robinson, who served in the office from May 29, 2013, did not run for re-election, per the terms of his appointment. He was appointed to the office following the resignation of Martha Shoffner.

Accountant Karen Sealy Garcia ran for the Democrats.[14]

Republican primary

The Republican primary was held between State Representative Duncan Baird and Saline County Circuit Clerk and former chairman of the Republican Party of Arkansas Dennis Milligan.[15][16]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Duncan
Baird
Dennis
Milligan
Undecided
Talk Business/Hendrix College April 29, 2014 1,516 ± 2.5% 10% 16% 75%
Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dennis Milligan 86,994 53.48
Republican Duncan Baird 75,673 46.52
Total votes 162,667 100.0

Libertarian Chris Hayes also ran.[1]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Karen
Garcia (D)
Dennis
Milligan (R)
Chris
Hayes (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 37% 45% 10% 9%
Public Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 31% 39% 7% 23%
Public Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 31% 36% 10% 23%
Arkansas State Treasurer election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dennis Milligan 466,959 56.4
Democratic Karen Sealy Garcia 308,663 37.3
Libertarian Chris Hayes 52,640 6.3
Majority 158,296 19.11%
Total votes 828,262 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

State Auditor edit

2014 Arkansas State Auditor election
 
← 2010
2018 →
 
Nominee Andrea Lea Regina Stewart Hampton Brian Leach
Party Republican Democratic Libertarian
Popular vote 471,211 308,285 44,702
Percentage 57.2% 37.4% 5.4%

 
County Results
Lea:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hampton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

State Auditor before election

Charlie Daniels
Democratic

Elected State Auditor

Andrea Lea
Republican

Incumbent Democratic State Auditor Charlie Daniels chose to retire rather than run for re-election to a second term.[17]

Regina Stewart Hampton, an employee in the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Auditor's Office, ran for the Democrats.[18]

Republican primary

State Representative Andrea Lea and former campaign manager for Mark Martin Ken Yang sought the Republican nomination.[19][20]

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Andrea
Lea
Ken
Yang
Undecided
Talk Business/Hendrix College April 29, 2014 1,516 ± 2.5% 32% 12% 56%
Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrea Lea 111,998 68.17
Republican Ken Yang 52,293 31.83
Total votes 164,291 100.0

Libertarian Brian Leach also ran.[1]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Regina Stewart
Hampton (D)
Andrea
Lea (R)
Brian
Leach (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 36% 44% 8% 12%
Public Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 33% 37% 7% 24%
Public Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 31% 35% 10% 24%
Arkansas State Auditor election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrea Lea 471,211 57.2
Democratic Regina Stewart Hampton 308,285 37.4
Libertarian Brian Leach 44,702 5.4
Majority 162,926 19.77%
Total votes 824,198 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Commissioner of State Lands edit

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of State Lands John Thurston ran for re-election to a second term in office.[21]

Landscape architect Mark Robertson ran for the Democrats.[22]

Libertarian Elvis D. Presley, an Elvis Presley impersonator and auto-mechanic, also ran.[21]

General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
John
Thurston (R)
Mark
Robertson (D)
Elvis D.
Presley (L)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 30–November 1, 2014 1,092 ± 3% 45% 36% 9% 10%
Public Policy Polling September 18–21, 2014 1,453 ± 2.6% 38% 33% 7% 22%
Public Policy Polling August 1–3, 2014 1,066 ± 3% 40% 29% 10% 22%
Public Policy Polling April 25–27, 2014 840 ± 3.4% 28% 27% 17% 29%
Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands election, 2014[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Thurston (incumbent) 471,848 57.2
Democratic Mark Robertson 302,048 36.6
Libertarian Elvis D. Presley 51,518 6.2
Majority 169,800 20.57%
Total votes 825,414 100.0
Republican hold

United States Senate edit

Incumbent Democratic senator Mark Pryor ran for re-election to a third term.[23] Republican Tom Cotton,[24] Green Mark Swaney[1] and Libertarian Nathan LaFrance[1] also ran.

U.S. Senate election in Arkansas, 2014[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Cotton 478,819 56.5
Democratic Mark Pryor (incumbent) 334,174 39.4
Libertarian Nathan LaFrance 17,210 2.0
Green Mark Swaney 16,797 2.0
n/a Write-ins 505 0.1
Majority 144,645 17.07%
Total votes 847,505 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

United States House of Representatives edit

All of Arkansas' four seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2014.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Candidates who filed for office in Arkansas". sfgate.com. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  2. ^ "November 4, 2014 General election and nonpartisan runoff election Official results". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  3. ^ "Rep. Tim Griffin to run for Ark. lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. February 13, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  4. ^ "Governor Candidate Debra Hobbs To Run For Lt. Gov. Instead". 5News Online. February 11, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  5. ^ "Cook: Andy Mayberry's Poorly Planned Lt. Governor Announcement". Talk Business Arkansas. August 26, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "State Rep. Charlie Collins confirms he's dropping out of race for Lt. Governor". ABC7 KATV. February 13, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "2014 Arkansas Preferential Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Election May 20, 2014". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  8. ^ "John Burkhalter resigns from Highway Commission to focus on lieutenant governor race". Arkansas Times. October 4, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  9. ^ "Democrat Dianne Curry Drops Out of Lieutenant Governor's Race". Arkansas Business. July 31, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "November 4, 2014 General election and nonpartisan runoff election Official results". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  11. ^ "UPDATE: Nate Steel announces for attorney general". Arkansas Times. July 10, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "UPDATE Martin files for re-election, Inman files to run against him". Arkansas News. February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "Susan Inman to run for Arkansas Secretary of State". The City Wire. September 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "Candidates file bids for Arkansas treasurer". KATV.com. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  15. ^ "Rep. Duncan Baird announces for state treasurer". Arkansas Times. July 31, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  16. ^ "Former GOP chief to run for state treasurer". Arkansas News. October 11, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  17. ^ "Arkansas Auditor Charlie Daniels Won't Seek Re-Election". Times Record. May 6, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  18. ^ "Regina Hampton To Seek State Auditor's Post". Talk Business Arkansas. July 7, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  19. ^ "Rep. Andrea Lea Joins Auditor's Race". Talk Business Arkansas. July 2, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  20. ^ "A "Bold" auditor candidate". Arkansas News. June 26, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Elvis is back, and running for office in Arkansas". Miami Herald. February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  22. ^ "Democrat Mark Robertson files today for Land Commissioner". Arkansas Times. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  23. ^ "Sen. Mark Pryor is running for re-election in 2014". Arkansas Times. April 19, 2012.
  24. ^ Glueck, Katie (July 31, 2013). "Arkansas's Tom Cotton to run for U.S. Senate". Politico.
  25. ^ "November 4, 2014 General election and nonpartisan runoff election Official results". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 23, 2014.