Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – After months of debate regarding local emergency services, county government structure, and local leadership, Craighead County voters provided definitive answers on Tuesday.

The 2026 general election brought several notable shifts to local government, including the rejection of the Jonesboro public safety tax, a change in State Legislature representation, and a turnover of several seats on the Quorum Court.

Overall voter turnout reached just over 26,000, slightly trailing the 27,000 ballots cast in the 2022 midterms, with narrow margins defining some of the night’s biggest races.

Here is a breakdown on what happened according to complete but unofficial totals from the Craighead County Election Commission, and a look at other races in Northeast Arkansas.

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Safety Tax Fails

  • Jonesboro voters said NO to a proposed 5/8-cent public safety tax. The vote failed 59% to 41%. The rejection of the tax leaves the city searching for alternative funding methods to support the Jonesboro Police and Fire departments moving forward.

County Consolidation Passes

  • Craighead County voters opted to consolidate the county collector and treasurer offices, with 63% voting in favor of the consolidation, which will officially take place in 2031.

Brookland Bonds Approved

  • Voters in Brookland approved the restructuring and refinancing of the city’s municipal bonds to fund $27.555 million in local projects without raising taxes.
  • The funds will cover the second phases of the city’s sportsplex and municipal building, sewer and storm shelter improvements, and major traffic overhauls at the intersections of Highway 49/School Street and Highway 49/Pine Log Road.
  • Mayor Kenneth Jones said the bonds will be sold in January, with shovel-ready construction potentially starting as early as March 2027.

State Legislature Upset

  • In District 32, six-term Republican State Rep. Jack Ladyman was unseated by Democrat Erika Askeland, who won by a margin of just 109 votes.
  • In District 36, Republican State Rep. Johnny Rye won re-election over Democratic challenger Shamal Carter.

Hitt Elected Circuit Judge

  • Curtis Hitt will be the next Circuit Judge of Division 4 in the Second Judicial District, securing 63% of the vote against Andrew Nadzam’s 37%.
  • The Second Judicial District includes the counties of Craighead, Greene, Clay, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Crittenden.

Statewide & Federal Races

  • Republican U.S. Senator Tom Cotton was re-elected, defeating Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner with 55% of the vote.
  • First District Congressman Rick Crawford won re-election with 65%, and Gov. Sarah Hucakabee Sanders won re-election with 54% of the vote.
  • On the statewide ballot, Issues 1, 2, and 4 passed, while Issue 3 failed.

December Runoffs

Voters will head back to the polls on Dec. 1 to settle two major local races:

  • Jonesboro City Council (Ward 5, Position 3): Incumbent L.J. Bryant received 38% of the vote, challenger Patti Lack took 29%, Vince Pearcy secured 23%, and James Carl Wilson, Jr. finished with 10%. Bryant and Lack will face off in the runoff.
  • Lake City Mayor: Daniel Haynes finished with 38% and Jackie Davis took 36%. Incumbent Mayor Cameron Tate finished third with 26%. Haynes and Davis will meet in the runoff.

Jonesboro Right Now will provide complete coverage of these runoff races leading up to Dec. 1, including early voting dates, polling locations, and live election night results.

Quorum Court Changes

There will be several changes to the Craighead County Quorum Court after four incumbent Republican JPs were defeated on Tuesday:

  • District 1: Democrat Jolene Mullet defeated Republican incumbent Brad Noel.
  • District 3: Democrat Blake Walker defeated Republican incumbent Barry Forrest.
  • District 5: Democrat Roseann Askeland defeated Republican incumbent Rick Myers.
  • District 6: Democrat Ross Kerley defeated Republican incumbent Darrell Cook.
  • District 9 (Open Seat): Republican Doug Forman defeated Democrat Matt Redmon to take the seat formerly held by newly elected District 30 State Rep. Josh Longmire.
  • Incumbent Wins: District 8 JP David Tennison won re-election over Jarrod Stroud, and incumbent Steve Cline defeated Aaron Meadows in District 10.

Regional Results

  • Poinsett County: Randy Mills was elected County Judge, Kevin Molder was re-elected Sheriff, Jay Paul Woods was re-elected Mayor in Trumann, and Michael Scott was elected Mayor of Marked Tree.
  • Greene County: Rusty McMillan was re-elected County Judge, and Josh Agee was re-elected as Paragould’s Mayor.
  • Lawrence County: Tony Waldrupe was re-elected Sheriff, Steve Ditto was elected Hoxie Mayor, and a proposed road millage increase failed.

Editor’s Note: These results are complete but unofficial until certified by the Craighead County Election Commission.

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