Contested races set for all Congressional districts; four vie for Supreme Court Chief Justice

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas’ four U.S. House of Representatives members will face either a primary or general election opponent in the 2024 election, although the four are considered safe for re-election. The election cycle will also see four people vie for Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice.

The candidate filing deadline for the 2024 election cycle ended at Noon Tuesday (Nov. 14) with the Arkansas Secretary of State website indicating that 351 Arkansans filed to seek an elected federal, state or judicial position. The 2024 statewide primary election is set for March 5, and the general election will be held Nov. 5. (Link here to see the candidate filings.)

In Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro will not have a primary opponent but will face Democrat Rodney Govens, a 40-year year old Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Cabot, in the November general election.

Contested races set for all Congressional districts; four vie for Supreme Court Chief Justice

Former State Sen. John Pagan files for Treasurer, U.S. Rep. Womack files for re-election

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

It was a quieter day at the Arkansas state capitol on Day 2 of the candidate filing period as fewer than 30 people submitted paperwork to run for public office.

Former Arkansas State Sen. John Pagan, a Democrat from Little Rock, filed for Treasurer of State, which will be filled by a two-year term due to the death of former Treasurer Mark Lowery. Yesterday, Secretary of State John Thurston filed as a Republican for the post.

Pagan was a law professor at the University of Arkansas Little Rock School of Law in the 1980’s and later served as dean and professor at the University of Richmond School of Law. He represented a portion of Little Rock in the Arkansas State Senate in the early 1990’s.

Former State Sen. John Pagan files for Treasurer, U.S. Rep. Womack files for re-election

First day of filing sees Thurston jump in Treasurer’s race, Democrat to challenge Crawford in CD1

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

The first day of candidate filing at the Arkansas State Capitol ended with 215 filings, including Republican Secretary of State John Thurston running for an open State Treasurer position and an unexpected Democrat filing for U.S. Congress in District 1.

Thurston, who previously announced he would seek the remainder of the term from the late Mark Lowery, was the first to file on Monday (Nov. 6). If he is elected, he will be eligible to serve 10 years – the remaining two years of Lowery’s term and two four-year terms. No other candidates filed for the position.

Rodney Govens, a 40-year year old Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Cabot, filed as a Democrat in the First Congressional District, the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro.

First day of filing sees Thurston jump in Treasurer’s race, Democrat to challenge Crawford in CD1