By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! Arkansans are used to state and federal races being called early, sometimes as soon as polls close. So it’s no small deal that the winner of the fight for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District wasn’t known until Thursday, when The Associated Press said Republican Rep. French Hill secured another term.
The implications of the midterms are being felt, with Democrats flexing new leverage on budget talks, Medicaid winning a six-month extension and the Senate electing a new leader.
You can read more Arkansas government and politics news on the Advocate site here.
U.S. Congressional District 2 incumbent Rep. French Hill, a Republican, answers questions during the debate against Democratic opponent Chris Jones on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ainsley Platt
Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill has won a seventh term, fending off his challenger Chris Jones despite efforts from national Democrats to flip the seat.
Secretary Janet Mann (left) and Division of County Operations Director Mary Franklin (right) of the Arkansas Department of Human Services answer questions from the Arkansas Legislative Council’s Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities Study Subcommittee on Aug. 17, 2026. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Tess Vrbin
Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion will get a six-month grace period starting Jan. 1 while state officials consider a replacement for the program providing health coverage to more than 200,000 low-income residents, the state Department of Human Services announced Thursday.
Arkansas House Minority Leader Andrew Collins gives his party's assessment of the concluded legislative session in Little Rock, Arkansas on April 16, 2025. Behind him are (left-right) Reps. Stephen Magie of Conway, Tippi McCullough of Little Rock, Jessie McGruder of Marion, Ashley Hudson of Little Rock and Jay Richardson of Fort Smith. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Antoinette Grajeda
Breaking Republicans’ supermajority in the Arkansas House will give Democrats more leverage to influence policy, including upcoming budget discussions, party leaders said Thursday.
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