The 2026 election filing period ended, bringing out a diverse group of 40 Black candidates vying for federal, state, and judicial offices. This group includes 20 men and 20 women from 14 counties. Of these candidates, 31 are running as Democrats, a slight decrease from 32 in 2024 and 37 in 2022. Notably, there are no Black Republican candidates this year, compared to two in 2024 and five in 2022. In the nonpartisan judicial races, nine Black candidates are running for circuit judgeships and prosecuting attorney positions.
The preferential primary on March 3, 2026, will allow voters to choose between Democratic, Republican, or nonpartisan ballots. To vote in the Republican primary, individuals must be registered Republicans or "optional" party. Visit VoterView on the Arkansas Secretary of State's website to check your voter status.
Mayor Ethan N. Dunbar - U.S. Senate - Democratic - Lafayette
Chris Jones - U.S. Congress District 02 - Democratic - Pulaski
State Senator Fred Love - Governor - Democratic - Pulaski
State Representative Jessie McGruder - State Senate District 09 - Democratic - Crittenden
Jason Williams - State Senate District 13 - Democratic - Pulaski
Charity Smith-Allen - State Senate District 15 - Democratic - Pulaski
Sharhonda J. Love - State Senate District 15 - Democratic - Pulaski
State Representative Tara Shephard - State Senate District 15 - Democratic - Pulaski
Deonna Morgan - State Representative District 29 - Democratic - Hot Spring
Michael Middlebrook - State Representative District 34 - Democratic - Mississippi
Audrey P. Willis - State Representative District 35 - Democratic - Crittenden
Councilman Demetris Johnson, Jr. - State Representative District 35 - Democratic - Crittenden
Joyce Ann Gray - State Representative District 35 - Democratic - Crittenden
Sherry Holliman - State Representative District 35 - Democratic - Crittenden
Willie Williams - State Representative District 35 - Democratic - Crittenden
Shamal C. Carter - State Representative District 36 - Democratic - Craighead
Rep. Jay Richardson - State Representative District 49 - Democratic - Sebastian
Beverly Coleman-Keown - State Representative District 60 - Democratic - Lonoke
Dexter R. Miller - State Representative District 62 - Democratic - Phillips
State Representative Lincoln Barnett - State Representative District 63 - Democratic - St. Francis
Representative Kenneth B. Ferguson - State Representative District 64 - Democratic - Jefferson
Glenn Barnes - State Representative District 65 - Democratic - Jefferson
Cordelia Smith-Johnson - State Representative District 70 - Democratic - Pulaski
Cassandra Mayes - State Representative District 71 - Democratic - Pulaski
Angela Person-West - State Representative District 72 - Democratic - Pulaski
Talesha Dokes - State Representative District 72 - Democratic - Pulaski
Representative Joy Springer - State Representative District 76 - Democratic - Pulaski
Justice of the Peace Steven Person - State Representative District 77 - Democratic - Pulaski
Michael D. Mason - State Representative District 79 - Democratic - Pulaski
State Representative Denise Ennett - State Representative District 80 - Democratic - Pulaski
Gina Thomas-Littlejohn - State Representative District 81 - Democratic - Saline
Judge Tjuana Byrd Manning - Circuit Judge, District 06, Division 08, Subdistrict 6.1 - Nonpartisan Judicial - Pulaski/Perry
Judge Shanice Johnson - Circuit Judge, District 06, Division 10, Subdistrict 6.1 - Nonpartisan Judicial - Pulaski/Perry
Kolby Harper - Circuit Judge, District 08-North, Division 02 - Nonpartisan Judicial - Hempstead/Nevada
Judge Carlton D. Jones - Circuit Judge, District 08-South, Division 01 - Nonpartisan Judicial - Miller/Lafayette
Judge Earnest E. Brown, Jr. - Circuit Judge, District 11-West, Division 06, At Large - Nonpartisan Judicial - Jefferson/ Lincoln
Bobby Forrest, Jr. - Prosecuting Attorney, District 06 - Nonpartisan Judicial - Pulaski/Perry
Evelyn Moorehead - Prosecuting Attorney, District 11-West - Nonpartisan Judicial - Jefferson/ Lincoln
Karres Manning-Center - Prosecuting Attorney, District 11-West - Nonpartisan Judicial - Jefferson/ Lincoln
Mircha King - Prosecuting Attorney, District 11-West - Nonpartisan Judicial - Jefferson/ Lincoln
Courtesy of ARPolitics101
ARPolitics101 is a nonpartisan voter education initiative dedicated to informing, educating, and empowering Arkansans to participate in the voting process. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @arpolitics101. Email us at arpolitics101@gmail.com.