Monday is the first day Arkansas candidates can file to run in the 2026 election cycle. Incumbents and hopefuls packed the State Capitol rotunda all afternoon.
The candidates moved through several stations. They filed with the state party, filled out forms, signed ethics rules, turned forms into the Secretary of State's Office and took pictures.
“It's a very exciting day at the Capitol right now," Republican House Speaker Brian Evans said, speaking with Little Rock Public Radio while standing in line near the Republican filing table
Notable officeholders filed for re-election Monday, including Republican Congressman Bruce Westerman, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and state legislators from both major parties.
Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill has represented central Arkansas in Congress since 2015. He told Little Rock Public Radio he wants the ongoing government shutdown to end so he can keep working.
“The government needs to be open,” he said. “I can't do the work I need to do as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee with the government closed.”
For example, Hill said he wants to “wrap up” the National Defense Authorization Bill.
Democrat Chris Jones is challenging Hill. This is Jones' second foray into politics; in 2022, he ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Sanders.
Jones said an internal poll saying 20% of voters are undecided is giving him hope.
“I'm at dead heat with a six-term congressman,” he said of the poll.
Neither party endorses candidates in primaries, leaving the democratic process to play out on its own.
State Democratic Party Chair Col. Marcus Jones called the policy “healthy.”
“It gives choice to the electorate,” he said.
His party has filing fees to pay for processing and to make sure candidates are serious contenders. State Republicans’ filing fees are even higher. Evans says it's intentional.
“When you see candidates that are here and are filing for the first time, they've worked hard.”
Former soybean farmer Hallie Shoffner filed to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton Monday. When asked whether she would vote to end the ongoing government shutdown, she said:
“This is about how we don't have politicians that seem to care.”
Gov. Sanders briefly talked with the media after filing. She repeated familiar campaign talking points, saying she “wants Arkansas to be first.”
The deadline to file to run for office is next Wednesday.
