It’s finally time to VOTE… Starting, Monday, October 21st. 😁
New this year, I’m not going to list every race across the county (to see more, I recommend utilizing AR Votes). Below you’ll find the races appearing on all or some Benton County ballots where I think it’s important to vote FOR or AGAINST a specific candidate.
Links for more election related information:
Benton County Ballot Items:
A few quick notes:
You can preview your sample ballot on the Arkansas Voter View website HERE after you provide the requested information.
Candidates with a * indicate they are the incumbent.
Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot within Benton County.
Where possible, I’ve included links to the candidate’s campaign website or Facebook page.
A ✅ by a candidate indicates who I would choose if that race was on my ballot. For nonpartisan positions, this is the candidate I believe would serve the community well.
A ❌ indicates the candidate is NOT someone I would vote for in that position.
Nonpartisan Judicial Race (All Benton Co. Voters)
Both candidates are current justices on the Supreme Court. The GOVERNOR will appoint the replacement to their current seat until voters have the opportunity to chose the replacement in the 2026 election. The current justice who does not win, will continue to serve in their current position.
Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice
Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood ❌ vs. Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Karen Baker ✅
Reference News Articles: NWA Dem Gazz, Arkansas Money & Politics
Partisan Positions (All Benton Co. Voters)
U.S. President / Vice President
Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz (Democratic) ✅ 🌴 🥥
Congressional District 3 - U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Steve Womack* (Republican), Caitlin Draper (Democratic) ✅, vs. Bobby Wilson (Libertarian)
Reference News Articles: NWA Dem Gazz, Arkansas Advocate debate reporting
State Treasurer
If Secretary of State John Thurston wins this race, the Governor will appoint the replacement to his position until the voters have the opportunity to vote for the new Secretary of State in 2026. If Thurston does not win, he will continue to serve in his current role.
Secretary of State John Thurston (Republican) ❌, Michael Pakko (Libertarian), vs. John Pagan (Democratic) ✅
Reference News Articles: NWA Dem Gazz, Arkansas Advocate
State Legislative Partisan Races (s
Listing the most competitive races on the ballot in Benton County (in numerical order for the house districts):
State Senate District 34
Senator Jim Dotson* (Republican) vs. Kaylee Wedgeworth (Democratic) ✅
Reference Articles: 40/29, Arkansas Advocate
State Representative District 7
State Representative Brit McKenzie* (Republican) vs. David McPherson (Democratic) ✅
Reference Articles: NWA Dem Gazz
State Representative District 10
Kate Schaffer (Democratic) ✅ vs. State Representative Mindy McAlindon* (Republican)
Reference Articles: NWA Dem Gazz, Arkansas Advocate
State Representative District 11
Rey Hernandez (Democratic) ✅ vs. State Representative Rebecca Burkes* (Republican)
Reference Articles: NWA Dem Gazz, Arkansas Advocate
State Representative District 15
Stephanie Funk (Democratic) ✅ vs. State Representative John P. Carr* (Republican)
Reference Articles: NWA Dem Gazz
State Representative District 18
Justin Meeks (Democratic) ✅ vs. State Representative Robin Lundstrum* (Republican)
Reference Articles: NWA Dem Gazz
County Justice of the Peace Partisan Races
Justices of the Peace
I’m a big fan of all of the candidates running as Democrats in Benton County. So if you live in the following districts, here’s who you should vote FOR:
Alex Tabor (District 2) ✅
Evangeline Beaumont (District 3) ✅
Erin Taylor (District 4) ✅
Steven Baker (District 5) ✅
Kelly Sikorski (District 7) ✅
Carol Vella (District 8) ✅
Lon Cross (District 10) ✅
Melody Miller (District 14) ✅
Reference Article: NWA Dem Gazz
Municipal Nonpartisan Races
As a reminder, for each of the municipalities listed below, all residents in the city will vote on all contested positions regardless of which wards they actually live in.
Bella Vista City Council
Ward 1, Position 1 | Ward 2, Position 1 | Ward 3, Position 1 |
|---|---|---|
Jerry Snow* ❌ | ||
Joel Steinle | Mark W. Bradley | |
Frosty Merriott |
Bentonville Mayor
I’m leaning toward voting for Galen because housing in Bentonville is my biggest concern, and I do not believe our current mayor has demonstrated a willingness to be creative or cooperative with community members or organizations interested in addressing this issue. However, I encourage each of you, Bentonville voters, to take the time to review both candidates and make your decision based on what you believe is best for the city.
Reference Pieces: Bentonville Bulletin, Axios NWA, KUAF Mayor Forum
Bentonville City Council
Attorney | Ward 3, Position 2 | Ward 4, Position 2 |
|---|---|---|
Nick Slagle |
Reference Pieces: NWA Dem Gazz
Centerton City Council Ward 2, Position 1
Most people seem to be split between Wendy and the incumbent, Keith
Wendy Henson, Keith Higginbotham*, Michael Commet ❌, vs. Joe Rhine
Lowell City Council
Probably best to go with the incumbents for Wards 2 and 4.
Ward 1, Position 1 | Ward 2, Position 1 | Ward 3, Position 1 | Ward 4, Position 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
Roy Brunson* | Andrew McIndoe | ||
Bill Adams | Rodney Judy | Scott Mendham ❌ |
Pea Ridge City Council
Ward 1, Position 1 | Ward 2, Position 2 |
|---|---|
Steven B. Guthrie* | |
Michael Alldredge | |
Rogers
Go with the incumbents on mayor, ward 1 & 2 (they are all getting challenged from the right):
Mayor | Ward 1, Position 2 | Ward 2, Position 2 |
|---|---|---|
Greg Hines* ✅ | ||
Betsy Reithemeyer* ✅ | ||
Marge Wolf* ✅ |
Ward 3, Position 2 | Ward 4, Position 2 |
|---|---|
Mandel G. Samuels | |
Reference Pieces: NWA Dem Gazz (Mayor), NWA Dem Gazz (City Council), Axios NWA (Mayor)
School Nonpartisan Races
Bentonville Zone 2 | NWACC Zone 6 | NWACC Zone 9 |
|---|---|---|
Joe Spivey* ✅ | ||
Ballot Issues
Bentonville School District Millage
Each school district in Arkansas is required to provide voters with an annual review of the school millage tax (whether existing or new). If the millage was already approved by voters and the school district is not requesting a change, then the annual vote will NOT impact the existing millage, regardless if more voters vote against.
Bentonville’s millage rate is not changing. I recommend voting FOR to show support for our public schools.
Issue 1 - Arkansas State Lottery Proceeds
Allows proceeds from lottery sales to fund vocational or technical school scholarships for Arkansans. Read more HERE. I’m voting FOR.
Issue 2 - Pope County Casino License Repeal
Roughly, here’s what you need to know: “For” repeals the existing Pope County Casino license & requires local elections to approve additional licenses in the future; “Against” keeps the existing Pope County Casino license. Please read more HERE. I’m either abstaining or voting AGAINST.
Issue 3 - Medical Marijuana Expansion Amendment
Expands (or loosens) the existing medical marijuana laws already in place in Arkansas. Highly (see what I did there) recommend reading more HERE. I’m likely voting FOR.
And finally, YOU ARE INVITED:
Come join the Democratic Party of Benton County for an Election Day Party! Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of our candidates and volunteers. The Downtown Rogers address will be provided AFTER a ticket has been purchased. You can purchase your tickets HERE. Hope to see you there!
