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Executive offices in Arkansas are up for grabs in 2022, and candidates are already beginning their campaigns for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Here’s a primer on who is running so far.
Governor
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (Republican)
• Attorney general since 2015
• Former counsel for Republican National Convention
Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican)
• Press secretary for President Donald Trump
• Daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
State Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, also is considering a run. He is current Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s nephew.
Hutchinson has been in office since 2015. Due to term limits he cannot seek re-election.
Lieutenant Governor
State Sen. Jason Rapert (Republican)
• State senator since 2011
• Worked in finance and banking
Surgeon General Greg Bledsoe (Republican)
• Surgeon general since 2015
• Son of state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers
State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, is considering a run as well.
Attorney General
Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin (Republican)
• Lieutenant governor since 2015
• Former 2nd District congressman
Griffin had announced a run for governor in August 2019, but said Monday he is shifting to the race for attorney general.
Arkansas Fair Housing Commission Executive Director Leon Jones (Republican)
Fair Housing commissioner since 2019
Previously Appointed Arkansas Director of Labor in 2015 by HutchinsonFormer U.S. Attorney Cody Hiland is also considering a run.
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