Tuesday is Election Day for primary and nonpartisan races in Arkansas, following two weeks of early voting.
The results will whittle down candidates for the midterm elections in November. Ballots will have line items for Justices of the Peace races, prosecuting attorney positions and an associate justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Polls will be open until 7:30 p.m. Voters can look up their registration status on the Secretary of State's website.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders voted for herself Tuesday in the Republican gubernatorial primary. She is on a list of candidates not facing party challengers. In November, she will go up against either Democratic state Sen. Fred Love or Supha Xayprasith-Mays.
Unlike the governor, many Republicans are facing primary challenges. For example, U.S. Rep. French Hill is facing a challenge from Chase McDowell. Secretary of State Cole Jester is being challenged by Christian Olson to serve as the Commissioner of State Lands.
Three Republicans are vying for the secretary of state position: Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison, state Sen. Kim Hammer and Bryan Norris. Gov. Sanders refused to endorse a candidate in the race, saying she knew too many of the candidates personally. The winner will face democrat Kelly Grappe in November.
Standing outside the Dunbar Community Center in Little Rock, Sanders told reporters she's optimistic about Republicans' chances in the election.
“I'm unopposed,” she said. “And I think that shows that there is broad support for the things we've been able to accomplish over the course of the last four years. And we are excited about that.”
Outside the Dunbar Community Center, Donald Holt asked voters to re-elect Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins.
“First of all, I think he's a super guy,” Holt said. He overlapped with Higgins in a professional capacity when Holt worked for the city.
Higgins is challenged by James “J.D.” Wheeler. Elsewhere, Charity Smith-Allen is running in the Democratic primary for state House District 79. She is challenging incumbent state Rep. Tara Shephard and ShaRhonda Love. Her campaign worker, Trevor Wine, was enjoying asking for votes.
“Its always a joy to be out here campaigning,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton will be challenged by either Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar or Hallie Shoffner, while either Democrat Chris Jones or Zach Huffman will challenge Republican Congressman French Hill.
Iran
When asked about foreign policy, the governor expressed support for President Donald Trump's decision to join Israel in attacking Iran.
“I'm really proud of the president for taking a strong stand and having the courage to do something that really, frankly, is really difficult,” she said.
Her father, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, is the current U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Sanders didn't discuss her parents' whereabouts, only saying she “keeps them in her prayers.”
Sanders says she hasn't spoken to the president since the current military campaign began.
