By Andrew DeMillo | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Advocate readers! Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ policies, including her signature education law, were the focus of Democrat Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby as the three debated on Tuesday. We also continue our preview of the state’s top races with a look at the 4th Congressional District’s matchup. You can find more Arkansas government and politics news at the Advocate site here.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders participates in the debate against 2026 gubernatorial candidates Sen. Fred Love (D), and Colt Shelby (L) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026 at the Arkansas TV studios in Conway, Arkansas. (Photo by Katie Adkins/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ainsley Platt
Democrat Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby sharply criticized Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ school voucher program, state spending priorities and prison plans in a debate Tuesday where the three gubernatorial hopefuls did not offer specific plans for the future of the state’s Medicaid expansion.
Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (right) is being challenged by Democrat James Russell (left) to represent Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District. (Photos courtesy of the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ainsley Platt
Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman said he wants to continue working on forestry and healthcare concerns for constituents in Arkansas’ 4th Congressional District, even as he acknowledged the challenge his party faces nationally with voter discontent over affordability.
Attorney General Tim Griffin (center) at a Sept. 5, 2025 press conference with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (far left), Department of Corrections Secretary Lindsay Wallace (right) and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (center right). (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Ainsley Platt
Arkansas is appealing a circuit court ruling that kept in place an injunction blocking two laws that gave Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the authority to fire top corrections officials.
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