State Legislative Filing Information
All State House of Representatives and State Senate districts are up for election in 2022 due to census redistricting. Below is information about the roles, responsibilities, and filing requirements for State House and State Senate districts. All districts have been redrawn and renumbered. The primary election will be held on May 24, 2022 and the general election will be held on November 8, 2022.
***If you are interested in having a conversation about running for office in 2022, reach out to our Candidates and Elections chair at dpbccandidates@gmail.com.***
State House of Representatives
The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 30,115 according to the 2020 federal census. Alongside the Arkansas State Senate, the Arkansas State House of Representatives forms the legislative branch of the Arkansas state government and works alongside the governor of Arkansas to create laws and establish a state budget.
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Responsibilities: Passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes
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Terms: Two years
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Compensation: $39,399 salary/year; Per diem: Legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol - $55/day; Legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol $151/day
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Typical Schedule: General session (odd years) begins the second Monday in January and typically lasts until April/May. Fiscal session (even years) begins the second Monday in February and typically lasts a month or two. Legislators are assigned to three committees, some of which meet monthly throughout the year.
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Filing Period: noon on Feb. 22, 2022 – noon on Mar. 1, 2022 in the Little Rock Capitol building
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Specific Filing Requirements:
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Age 21 or older upon election
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Resident of Arkansas for two years preceding election and a resident of the district for one year preceding election (Nov. 8, 2022)
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For Democrats, a filing fee of $1,500 paid to the Democratic Party of Arkansas or $0 if there is no Democratic incumbent and the candidate obtains support from the DPBC County Chair or an Executive Committee member from Congressional District 3
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House Positions Available
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District 7 - East Rogers, Avoca, Garfield, Gateway, and East Benton County
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Incumbent: Republican Joshua Bryant (has announced he is running for open State Senate District 32)
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Brit McKenzie
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District 8 - East Bella Vista, Little Flock, and Pea Ridge
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Incumbent: Republican Austin McCollum
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent Austin McCollum
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District 10 - South Central Bella Vista and North Bentonville
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Incumbent: Republican Jim Dotson (has announced he is running for open State Senate District 34)
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Announced Candidates:
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Democrat Daisy Bonilla
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Republican Mindy McAlindon
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District 11 - Bethel Heights, East Lowell, and South Benton County (district is in Benton and Washington Counties)
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Incumbent: Democrat Megan Godfrey (has announced she will not be running for this position in 2022)
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Rebecca Burkes, Robert Fair
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District 12 - North and NW Bella Vista, Decatur, Gravette, and NW Benton County
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Incumbent: Republican Gayla McKenzie (has announced she is running for open State Senate District 35)
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Hope Hendren Duke, Jason Maxwell, Jay Oliphant
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District 13 - South Bentonville and NW Rogers
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Incumbent: none, new district
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Aubrey Patterson, Greg Payne, Scott Richardson
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District 14 - Centerton
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Incumbent: none, new district
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Grant Hodges
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District 15 - Rogers
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Incumbent: Republican John Carr
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent John Carr
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District 16 - Cave Springs and West Lowell
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Incumbent: Republican Kendon Underwood
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent Kendon Underwood
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District 17 - SW Benton County, Gentry, Springtown, and Siloam Springs
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Incumbent: Republican Delia Haak
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent Delia Haak
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District 18 - Elm Springs and Tontitown (Washington County district except for one Benton County precinct)
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Incumbent: Republican Robin Lundstrum
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent Robin Lundstrum
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State Senate
The Senate is composed of 35 members elected from an equal number of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 86,044 according to the 2020 federal census. Alongside the Arkansas State House of Representatives, the Arkansas State Senate forms the legislative branch of the Arkansas state government and works alongside the governor of Arkansas to create laws and establish a state budget.
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Responsibilities: Passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes
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Terms: Two-Four-Four year system (half of the senate is up each even year, all positions are up the election year following the census; e.g., 2022)
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Compensation: $42,428 salary/year; Per diem: Legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol - $55/day; Legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol $151/day
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Typical Schedule: General session (odd years) begins the second Monday in January and typically lasts until April/May. Fiscal session (even years) begins the second Monday in February and typically lasts a month or two. Legislators are assigned to three committees, some of which meet monthly throughout the year.
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Filing Period: noon on Feb. 22, 2022 – noon on Mar. 1, 2022 in the Little Rock Capitol building
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Specific Filing Requirements:
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Age 25 or older upon election
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Resident of Arkansas for two years preceding election and a resident of the district for one year preceding election (Nov. 8, 2022)
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For Democrats, a filing fee of $3,000 paid to the Democratic Party of Arkansas or $0 if there is no Democratic incumbent and the candidate obtains support from the DPBC County Chair or an Executive Committee member from Congressional District 3
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Senate Positions Available:
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District 32 - Avoca, Garfield, Gateway, Pea Ridge, East Rogers, East Lowell, Bethel Heights and East Benton County
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Incumbent: Republican Cecile Bledsoe (has announced she is retiring)
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Joshua Bryant
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District 33 - South Bentonville, West Rogers, West Lowell, Cave Springs, and South Central Benton County
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Incumbent: Republican Bart Hester
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Incumbent Bart Hester
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District 34 - Bella Vista, North Bentonville, and Centerton
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Incumbent: new district
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Jim Dotson
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Republican Peter Christie
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District 35 - Gravette, Gentry, Decatur, Siloam Springs and West Benton County (district is in Benton and Washington Counties)
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Incumbent: Independent Jim Hendren (has announced he will not be running for this position in 2022)
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Announced Candidates:
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Republican Gayla McKenzie
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