Stories by Rachel Herzog

Judge allows suit over ballot error misidentifying U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette to proceed, declines to grant relief A judge on Friday declined to grant relief in U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette's suit over an error that misidentified him as "Jack" Bequette on ballots in two Arkansas counties but a... May 14, 2022

Judge allows suit over ballot error misidentifying U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette to proceed, declines to grant relief A judge declined to grant relief in U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette’s lawsuit over an error that misidentified him as "Jack" Bequette on ballots in two Arkansas counties while leav... May 13, 2022

Craighead County corrects name of U.S. Senate candidate on its ballots; Phillips County to follow An Arkansas county has corrected the misspelling of a U.S. Senate candidate's first name on its ballots, and a second county plans to have it fixed today, officials said.Jake Bequette, a Republica... May 13, 2022

Craighead County corrects candidate's misspelled name on ballot Craighead County in northeast Arkansas has corrected the misspelling of a U.S. Senate candidate’s first name on its ballots, and Phillips County plans to have it fixed today, officials said.Jake... May 12, 2022

Arkansas advocate pulls recreational cannabis amendment petition, will try again in 2024 Arkansas medical marijuana patient advocate Melissa Fults has scrapped her recreational cannabis amendment petition in favor of waiting until 2024 and advocating against another recreational proposal ... May 12, 2022

U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette misidentified on ballots in 2 Arkansas counties U.S. Senate candidate Jake Bequette's first name was misspelled on ballots in two Arkansas counties, election officials confirmed Tuesday.Early voting for the state's May 24 primary election b... May 11, 2022

With early voting underway, election officials anticipate turnout rate of about 20% in Arkansas With open primaries for the governor's office and a U.S. Senate seat at the top of the ballot in Arkansas, officials said they expect voter turnout in the May 24 election to hit close to 2018 prim... May 10, 2022

Pitsch touts integrity, Lowery talks fiscal conservatism in Republican primary for Arkansas treasurer Two Republicans seek the office of Arkansas treasurer, one who touts his fiscal conservatism and says he would reduce the size of the office and another who says he has the integrity and financial ski... May 8, 2022

Which forms of voter ID are accepted to cast a ballot in Arkansas Arkansans wishing to cast a ballot must meet the requirements of the state's voter ID law.Here’s what you need to know about the the documentation you’ll need at your polling place.Wha... May 5, 2022

Outgoing Arkansas treasurer backs Pitsch as successor, points to rival’s financial woes Arkansas state Treasurer Dennis Milligan has endorsed state Sen. Mat Pitsch in the GOP primary to succeed him in the office, saying candidate Rep. Mark Lowery's personal financial history raises q... May 4, 2022

Democratic primary in Arkansas secretary of state’s race pits nonprofit executive against ex-county election commissioner The Democratic primary for Arkansas secretary of state pits an executive of a nonprofit against a former county election commissioner, both of whom say their experience makes them the best candidate f... May 1, 2022

Ethics complaint filed against Arkansas secretary of state candidate Eddie Joe Williams A complaint submitted to the Arkansas Ethics Commission earlier this month alleges Republican secretary of state candidate Eddie Joe Williams violated state law by displaying campaign literature on hi... April 27, 2022

Glitch in driver’s license system interrupts Arkansas voter registration Arkansas' system for issuing driver's licenses glitched Monday morning, interrupting real-time voter registration on the last day to register to vote in the May 24 primary and judicial electio... April 26, 2022

Glitch in driver's license system interrupts Arkansas voter registration Arkansas' system for issuing driver's licenses glitched Monday morning, interrupting real-time voter registration on the last day to register to vote in the May 24 primary and judicial electio... April 25, 2022

Ahead of GOP primary, Arkansas secretary of state challenger attacks first term of incumbent, who calls charges misleading Republican secretary of state candidate Eddie Joe Williams says his primary opponent, incumbent Secretary of State John Thurston, lacks the management expertise he has and has taken an absentee approa... April 24, 2022

Arkansas secretary of state candidates spar over voting rights, target incumbent’s record in debate Arkansas' four secretary of state candidates sparred over voting and redistricting while going after the incumbent's performance in a debate just under six weeks ahead of the primary election ... April 22, 2022

Arkansas governor appoints directors of strategic affairs, policy and agency affairs John Eddy will be Gov. Asa Hutchinson's new director of strategic affairs and Chris Fletcher is the new director of policy and agency affairs, the governor's office announced Monday.Both appoi... April 22, 2022

Arkansas joins 25 states in effort to address border security A coalition of 26 Republican-led states including Arkansas will share resources to address border security, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced Tuesday."There is a crisis... April 21, 2022

VIDEO: Sen. Joyce Elliott, Misty Orpin discuss voter engagement in Arkansas <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HBnew4maeVU" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow=&... April 20, 2022

State treasurer candidate Mark Lowery says computer glitch reason for late campaign finance report State Rep. Mark Lowery, R-Maumelle, said Monday his campaign finance report for March for his state treasurer's campaign wasn't posted on the secretary of state's website until Monday beca... April 19, 2022

12 state, federal candidates in Arkansas have tax liens; highest tops out at almost $90K Twelve candidates for state and federal offices in Arkansas have state income tax liens filed against them, with totals ranging from just more than $1,000 to nearly $90,000, according to state records... April 17, 2022

Formal complaints allege campaign finance violations by 2 of Arkansas’ state treasurer candidates Complaints alleging campaign finance violations in reports from both of Arkansas' GOP state treasurer candidates were submitted to the state Ethics Commission this month, according to documents ob... April 16, 2022

VIDEO: Election officials discuss voter registration in Arkansas <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TZpunvAzwqI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow=&... April 14, 2022

Little Rock candidates for House seat diverge on conservative ideology in GOP primary A self-described moderate Republican who is on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission will take on a self-described conservative law professor and government transparency advocate who wants to e... April 10, 2022

Arkansas’ general revenue tax collections for March up $121.7M over last year Arkansas' general revenue tax collections saw higher-than-expected growth across all major revenue categories last month, officials said Monday.According to the state Department of Finance and Adm... April 5, 2022

Health insurance contribution rate for public school employees formally approved by Arkansas legislative committee The Arkansas House and Senate education committees on Monday formally approved the new rate that school districts will pay into the public school employees' health insurance program starting in 20... April 5, 2022

Arkansas' general revenue tax collections in March increased by $121.7M Arkansas’ economy saw better-than-expected growth across all major revenue categories last month, officials said Monday.The state’s general tax revenue collections increased by $121.7 mill... April 4, 2022

Two first-time hopefuls seek GOP nod in Pulaski County House race Two conservative Republicans, Brandon Achor and Wes Booker, will vie to represent an open House seat that covers portions of Maumelle and Pulaski County in the primary election next month.All 100 Hous... April 4, 2022

State treasurer candidate says bankruptcies make him a better candidate Arkansas state treasurer candidate Mark Lowery has filed for personal bankruptcy twice, in 1998 and in 2017, according to federal court records.Lowery is a Republican state representative from Maumell... March 27, 2022

Arkansas House District 81 race pits Bryant city councilman against owner of laser manufacturing firm A radio personality says his local experience makes him the best person to represent a new House district in the Little Rock suburbs, while a small-business owner is emphasizing his statewide governme... March 24, 2022

Arkansas attorney general plans appeal of judge’s decision to strike down voting laws Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will appeal a Pulaski County judge's decision to strike down four voting laws, she said Monday.Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen granted a permanent injunctio... March 22, 2022

Hutchinson applauds work done during fiscal session, defends proposed prison expansion Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson touted work done during the recent fiscal session while pushing back on criticism of his proposed prison expansion at Friday's meeting of the Political Animals Club of... March 19, 2022

Hutchinson signs bills that will increase starting salaries for law enforcement officers Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed into law two bills that open the door for a more than $11,000 increase for state police troopers' starting salaries and create a one-time stipend for... March 9, 2022

Hutchinson signs law enforcement funding bills into law; budget measures sent to governor Flanked by Arkansas State Police troopers and other law enforcement personnel on Tuesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law two pieces of legislation that provide salary increases and stipends for o... March 8, 2022

Primaries are plentiful across Northwest Arkansas Benton and Washington county voters will decide as many contested primaries in races for the state Legislature this year as they did in the last three elections combined, records show.Fourteen primary... March 6, 2022

Republicans outnumber Democrats more than 2 to 1 in Arkansas’ candidate filings In state legislative races, voters will see more Republican primary elections this spring than general elections with candidates from both major parties in November, with GOP candidate filings again s... March 6, 2022

Arkansas’ general revenue for February $528.5M, highest of any February on record Arkansas' general revenue in February increased by $34.9 million over the same month a year ago to $528.5 million and beat the latest forecast by $62.6 million.That total is the highest of any Feb... March 3, 2022

Arkansas' general revenue tax collections in February exceeded state's forecast by $62.6M Arkansas' general revenue tax collections in February increased by $34.9 million, or 7.1% over last year, to $528.5 million.Last month's tax collections exceeded the state's forecast by $6... March 2, 2022

Arkansas’ filing period closes with 446 candidates seeking office Candidate filing came to a close on Tuesday in Arkansas, with a total of 446 candidates putting their names on the ballot for state and federal office in 2022.That number includes candidates for parti... March 2, 2022

Arkansas House tables effort to consider abortion ban resolution The Arkansas House tabled an effort to bring a resolution authorizing lawmakers to consider an abortion ban with a civil cause of action during the fiscal session to the floor Monday.Rep. John Payton,... March 2, 2022

Rutledge, Chris Bequette file for Arkansas’ lieutenant governor’s race; Morgan files for U.S. Senate race Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and businessman Chris Bequette officially joined the field of lieutenant governor candidates Monday, the fifth day of candidate filing for state and federal offices in... March 1, 2022

Arkansas’ governor, congressional delegation support Ukraine, condemn Russia Government leaders across Arkansas expressed support Friday for Ukraine and called for a united effort in rebuking Russia's invasion of the democratic eastern European nation.Gov. Asa Hutchinson b... February 26, 2022

Boozman, Crawford among 43 Arkansans filed for state, federal offices Friday U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford filed for reelection Friday at the state Capitol, the fourth day of candidate filing for state and federal offices in Arkansas.Longtime radio host Do... February 26, 2022

Boozman files for reelection to U.S. Senate U.S. Sen. John Boozman filed to seek reelection on Friday, the fourth day of candidate filing in Arkansas.Boozman, a Republican from Rogers, is Arkansas' senior senator and was first elected in 20... February 25, 2022

Arkansas legislators send 8 bills related to state’s health insurance plans to governor Arkansas' state lawmakers on Wednesday completed action on eight bills that would make changes in state laws about the governing, financing and other matters regarding the state's health insur... February 24, 2022

275 candidates file for office in Arkansas on 1st day Several candidates seeking Arkansas' governorship filed for office Tuesday, including Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Democrat Chris Jones, who shook hands when they crossed paths at the sta... February 23, 2022

Arkansas' 2022 filing period: What offices are up for election, who's eligible to run Political campaigns for the 2022 elections may have been underway in Arkansas for months, but candidates don't make things official until the filing period, which begins Feb. 22 and lasts through ... February 22, 2022

Arkansas’ filing period begins Tuesday for state, federal candidates Political campaigns in Arkansas may have been underway for months, but come Tuesday it will be time for candidates to start making things official.Nearly 200 state and federal offices are up for elect... February 20, 2022