Republican gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders arrived at the state Capitol in Little Rock just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, shaking hands and speaking with Democratic opponent Chris Jones.
Other filings Tuesday afternoon included Democratic gubernatorial candidate James Russell, a mental health clinic owner from Little Rock.
Russell said he stands out in the Democratic field because he is the most outspoken about his stances.
Gallery: 1st day of filing at Arkansas Capitol
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“I want to give them a strong candidate to give them something to believe in,” he said.
Josh Price, candidate for secretary of state, said his experience on the ground as a former election commissioner separates him from his opponents. He also said he believes the redistricting maps are unfair to minority populations and believes there needs to be changes.
Jake Bequette, a U.S. Senate candidate, said he believes his leadership skills as a football player and military member is what will set him apart. Bequette, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers in the Republican primary this year, said he believes this year is a perfect opportunity for a political outsider.
State Rep. Monte Hodges, D-Blytheville, filed to run for the 1st Congressional District seat against incumbent Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark. Hodges was previously advised to drop out of the race by Democratic Party of Arkansas chairman Grant Tennille because of a 20-year-old allegation of child molestation for which Hodges was never charged or convicted.
Hodges said he was not concerned because that allegation has come up in every election he’s run and that the party is entitled to its opinion.
1:38 p.m. Candidates visit Arkansas Capitol, speak on campaigns as filing begins
State Treasurer Dennis Milligan said he arrived at 5:30 a.m Tuesday ahead of filing for state auditor.
Milligan, a Republican, said he was the first to file for the office.
“I’m all around excited, and there’s nothing wrong with being number one,” he said.
Former Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb of Benton, filed Tuesday for lieutenant governor.
Gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones said he was excited to be at the state Capitol in Little Rock on filing day.
“This is an opportunity to serve Arkansans,” said Jones, a Democrat. “I always wanted to do that, so to be here in this moment and to feel the energy and then know that it’s a step toward realizing the problems of Arkansas, I can’t say how excited I am about it.”
A second Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Jay Martin of North Little Rock, described himself as the “common sense candidate for Arkansas.”
“I am a conservative and I am a Democrat,” he said.
Gov. Candidate Jay Martin is speaking to the press right now about topics like abortion as he solidifies his platform. pic.twitter.com/ZJrjcQuFDM
— Stephen Simpson (@Steve55Simpson) February 22, 2022
— Rachel Herzog
12:19 p.m.: Filing for state, federal offices in Arkansas begins
Secretary of State John Thurston counted down from 10 to kick off candidate filing at noon Tuesday. With the bang of the gavel, filing began.
Candidates for partisan races began filling the second floor of the state Capitol in Little Rock around 11:30 am.
Check back for updates on the first day of candidate filing in Arkansas
— Brianna Kwasnik
7:09 a.m.: Filing for state, federal offices in Arkansas to begin
Arkansas' election year officially kicks off this week, with hundreds of candidates for state and federal officials filing paperwork to make their bids official.
The one-week filing period begins at the state Capitol at noon Tuesday, marking the start of an election season that's been well under way for more than a year for many candidates.
This year's election marks an open governor's race, with Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson unable to seek reelection because of term limits. Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has been running for more than a year for the office and has more than $7 million in the bank. Several Democrats are also seeking their party's nomination in the May primary.
Arkansas' election season also features several potentially heated GOP primaries, including a crowded race for lieutenant governor and Sen. John Boozman fending off challenges in his reelection bid.
All 100 state House and 35 state Senate seats will be up for election because of redistricting.
Republicans control both chambers of Arkansas' Legislature, all statewide offices and every seat in the state's congressional delegation.
— The Associated Press