2010 Arkansas elections

2010 Arkansas elections

General elections were held November 2, 2010 in Arkansas. Primaries were held on May 18, 2010 and runoffs, if necessary, were held on November 23, 2010. Arkansas elected seven constitutional officers, 17 of 35 state senate seats, all 100 house seats and 28 district prosecuting attorneys, and voted on one constitutional amendment and one referred question. Non-partisan judicial elections were held the same day as the party primaries for four Supreme Court justices, four appeals circuit court judges, and eight district court judges.

Federal

United States Senate

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln ran unsuccessfully for re-election against Republican John Boozman. Arkansas had previously only elected one Republican senator since the Reconstruction, who was defeated after his first term in 2002 by Mark Pryor. Lincoln faced Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter and narrowly won the primary contest.

United States Senate election in Arkansas, 2010[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Boozman 451,617 57.90% +13.83%
Democratic Blanche Lincoln (incumbent) 288,156 36.95% −18.95%
Libertarian Trevor Drown 25,234 3.24% +3.24%
Green John Gray 14,430 1.85% +1.85%
Majority 163,461 20.95%
Turnout 779,437 37.5%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

United States House

All four of Arkansas's seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2010. Only one of the four incumbents sought re-election, Democrat Mike Ross of District 4.

Results U.S. Congress District 01

Crawford counties in red, Causey counties in blue.

This was an open seat, as Democratic incumbent Marion Berry chose to retire. Berry was always reelected in this district by a wide margin since his first reelection campaign in 1998, and was unopposed in 2008. The district is very Republican (giving only 38% to Obama) on a national level despite a long history of electing Democrats to local and state level offices.

U.S. Congress District 01 election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rick Crawford 93,224 51.79
Democratic Chad Causey 78,267 43.48
Green Ken Adler 8,320 4.62
Write-ins 205 0.11
Total votes 180,016 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Results U.S. Congress District 02

Results by county Griffin
  50-59%
  60-69%
  70-79%
Elliott
  40-49%

This district was represented by seven term Democrat Vic Snyder who was unchallenged in 2008 and received 70% of the vote. Snyder announced that he would retire in 2010, reportedly after polls showed him trailing Republican Tim Griffin.[4]

U.S. Congress District 02 election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Griffin 122,091 57.90
Democratic Joyce Elliott 80,687 38.27
Independent Lance Levi 4,421 2.10
Green Lewis Kennedy 3,599 1.71
Write-ins 54 0.03
Total votes 210,852 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Results U.S. Congress District 03

Womack counties in red, Whitaker counties in blue.

This district was represented by Republican John Boozman. Boozman ran for the U.S. Senate, against Blanche Lincoln.[6] The district (comprising the northwest part of the state) has been held by the GOP since 1966.

U.S. Congress District 03 election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Womack 148,581 72.44
Democratic David Whitaker 56,542 27.56
Total votes 205,123 100
Republican hold

Results U.S. Congress District 04

Ross counties in blue, Rankin counties in red.

This district was represented by five term Democrat Mike Ross, who won reelection in 2008 with 86.2% of the vote against a Green Party challenger. Ross won reelection, albeit in his narrowest margin since first being elected in 2000. This is the last time a Democrat won a house (or any congressional) election in Arkansas.

U.S. Congress District 04 election[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Ross (incumbent) 102,479 57.53
Republican Beth Anne Rankin 71,526 40.15
Green Josh Drake 4,129 2.32
Total votes 178,134 100
Democratic hold

Governor

Incumbent governor Mike Beebe easily won re-election and swept every single county.[8]

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 2010[2][9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Beebe (incumbent) 503,336 64.42 +8.81
Republican Jim Keet 262,784 33.63 −7.03
Green Jim Lendall 14,513 1.86 +0.21
Write-in 700 0.09 N/A
Total votes 781,333 100
Democratic hold

Lieutenant governor

Incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter ran for Senate and did not seek re-election.[10]

Arkansas lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010[2][11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Darr 386,693 51.05
Democratic Shane Broadway 369,538 48.95
Total votes 756,231 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Secretary of State

2010 Arkansas Secretary of State election
 
Nominee Mark Martin Pat O'Brien
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 392,468 372,123
Percentage 51.33% 48.67%
County results
Martin:      50–60%      60–70%
O'Brien:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Secretary of State before election

Charlie Daniels
Democratic

 Elected Secretary of State

Mark Martin
Republican

Democratic incumbent Charlie Daniels was term-limited and instead ran successfully for state auditor.[12]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic primary results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat O'Brien 149,453 48.85
Democratic Mark Wilcox 105,809 34.59
Democratic Doris Tate 50,655 16.56
Total votes 305,917 100

Runoff results

Democratic primary runoff results[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat O'Brien 151,046 61.58
Democratic Mark Wilcox 94,239 38.42
Total votes 245,285 100

Republican nominee

General election

2010 Arkansas Secretary of State election[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Martin 392,468 51.33
Democratic Pat O'Brien 372,123 48.67
Total votes 764,591 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Attorney general

2010 Arkansas Attorney General election
 
Nominee Dustin McDaniel Rebekah Kennedy
Party Democratic Green
Popular vote 525,940 193,658
Percentage 72.76% 26.79%
County results
McDaniel:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Attorney General before election

Dustin McDaniel
Democratic

 Elected Attorney General

Dustin McDaniel
Democratic

Incumbent Dustin McDaniel won re-election in a landslide as no Republican filed to run for his seat.[20][21]

Democratic nominee

Green Party nominee

  • Rebekah Kennedy, attorney[23]

Write-in candidate

  • Marc Rosson, farmer[23]

General election

2010 Arkansas Attorney general election[2][24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dustin McDaniel (incumbent) 525,940 72.76
Green Rebekah Kennedy 193,658 26.79
Write-in 3,216 0.45
Total votes 722,814 100
Democratic hold

Treasurer

2010 Arkansas State Treasurer election
 
Nominee Martha Shoffner Bobby Tullis
Party Democratic Green
Popular vote 479,701 230,594
Percentage 67.54% 32.46%
County results
Shoffner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Treasurer before election

Martha Shoffner
Democratic

 Elected Treasurer

Martha Shoffner
Democratic

Incumbent Martha Shoffner comfortably won re-election, sweeping every county as no Republican filed to run.[20][25]

Democratic nominee

Green Party nominee

General election

2010 Arkansas State Treasurer election[2][28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martha Shoffner (incumbent) 479,701 67.54
Green Bobby Tullis 230,594 32.46
Total votes 710,295 100
Democratic hold

Auditor

2010 Arkansas State Auditor election
 
Nominee Charlie Daniels Mary Hughes-Willis
Party Democratic Green
Popular vote 506,606 210,476
Percentage 70.65% 29.35%
County results
Daniels:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Auditor before election

Jim Wood
Democratic

 Elected Auditor

Charlie Daniels
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Jim Wood was term-limited. Former Commissioner of State Lands and outgoing Secretary of State Charlie Daniels won in a landslide as no Republican filed to run.[20][29]

Democratic nominee

Green Party nominee

  • Mary Hughes-Willis[30]

General election

2010 Arkansas State Auditor election[2][31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charlie Daniels 506,606 70.65
Green Mary Hughes-Willis 210,476 29.35
Total votes 717,082 100
Democratic hold

Commissioner of State Lands

2010 Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands election
 
Nominee John Thurston L.J. Bryant
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 396,263 355,996
Percentage 52.68% 47.32%
County results
Thurston:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Bryant:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Commissioner before election

Mark Wilcox
Democratic

 Elected Commissioner

John Thurston
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Mark Wilcox was term-limited. Republican John Thurston narrowly won the election, becoming the first Republican land commissioner since Reconstruction.[32]

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • L.J. Bryant, tax-service owner[33]
  • Monty Davenport, cattle rancher and former state representative[33]
  • Mike Berg, church employee[33]

Primary results

Democratic primary results[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic L.J. Bryant 115,462 39.63
Democratic Monty Davenport 112,110 38.48
Democratic Mike Berg 63,779 21.89
Total votes 291,351 100

Runoff results

Democratic primary runoff results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic L.J. Bryant 141,448 58.89
Democratic Monty Davenport 98,773 41.11
Total votes 240,261 100

Republican nominee

  • John Thurston, church employee[33]

General election

2010 Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands election[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Thurston 396,263 52.68
Democratic L.J. Bryant 355,996 47.32
Total votes 752,259 100
Republican gain from Democratic

General Assembly

State Senate

17 of the 35 seats in the Arkansas Senate were up for election in 2010. The Democratic majority got significantly reduced due to the red wave.

2010 Arkansas Senate election[37]
Party Before After Change
Democratic 27 20 Decrease 7
Republican 8 15 Increase 7
Total 35

State House of Representatives

All 100 seats in the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election in 2010. The Democratic majority got significantly reduced due to the red wave.

2010 Arkansas House of Representatives election[38] election
Party Before After Change
Democratic 71 55 Decrease 16
Republican 28 45 Increase 17
vacant 1 0 Decrease 1
Total 100

State Supreme Court

Two seats on the Arkansas Supreme Court were up for election.[39]

Associate Justice, Position 3

Deputy Attorney General Elana Wills was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe following the retirement of Justice Tom Glaze.[40] She served the remainder of his term and was ineligible for re-election.[41]

Candidates

General election

2010 Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 3 election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Courtney Henry 249,425 57.51
Nonpartisan John Fogleman 184,280 42.49
Total votes 433,705 100

Associate Justice, Position 6

Attorney Ronald Lee Sheffield was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to serve the remaining term of retiring Justice Annabelle Clinton Imber after Bill Bowen, the original appointee, resigned after only a week citing illness.[45][46][47]

Candidates

General election

2010 Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 6 election[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Karen Baker 206,365 48.35
Nonpartisan Tim Fox 156,953 36.78
Nonpartisan Evelyn Moorehead 63,450 14.87
Total votes 426,768 100
Runoff results
Runoff election results[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Karen Baker 406,950 60.07
Nonpartisan Tim Fox 270,502 39.93
Total votes 677,452 100

Ballot measures

Three statewide measures were on the ballot in 2010, all of which were approved by the voters.[51]

2010 Arkansas ballot measures
Name Description Votes Type
Yes % No %
Amendment 1 Ensures the right to hunt, fish and trap wildlife in the state.[52] 612,495 82.78 127,444 17.22 Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
Amendment 2 Eliminates interest rate restrictions on loans, contracts and bonds.[53] 448,711 64.20 250,167 35.80
Amendment 3 Removes fixed criteria for issuing economic development bonds.[54] 431,724 62.35 260,735 37.65
Source: Arkansas Secretary of State[55]

References

  1. ↑ "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "United States Elections Project". Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  4. ↑ Kraushaar, Josh (January 15, 2010). "Vic Snyder retiring". Politico.
  5. ↑ "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  6. ↑ Stovall, Zack (March 29, 2009). "Republican Boozman on the outside looking in". Arkansas News Bureau. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Beebe reelected Governor; Republicans winning other top spots". Talk Business & Politics. November 3, 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  10. ↑ Catanese, David (February 22, 2010). "Beebe cool on Halter Senate bid". Politico. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Arkansas Secretary of State". Ark.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Daniels says he's running for Arkansas auditor". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. July 24, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  13. ↑ Wickline, Michael R. (May 28, 2009). "O'Brien's hat in ring for secretary of state". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  14. ↑ Brantley, Max (June 16, 2009). "Three-way for Capitol job". Arkansas Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  15. ↑ Harris, Waylon (June 17, 2009). "Wilcox announces bid for secretary of state". Log Cabin Democrat. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Secretary of State - Democrat - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Secretary of State - Certfied". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Prairie Grove legislator announces secretary of state bid". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. January 7, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Secretary of State - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 Arkansas Secretary of State: Vote Naturally
  21. ↑ "McDaniel re-elected attorney general". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. November 2, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  22. ↑ Wickline, Michael R. (April 16, 2009). "McDaniel, Halter tell campaign donations". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "McDaniel's goal: 8 years on job". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. October 3, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Attorney General - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  25. ↑ "UPDATE: Shoffner elected treasurer". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. November 2, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Shoffner reports $100k in hand for re-election bid". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. August 16, 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  27. ↑ Wickline, Michael R. (August 26, 2010). "Green Party hopeful running 2 races". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  28. ↑ "State Treasurer - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  29. ↑ "UPDATE: Daniels wins auditor race". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. November 2, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  30. ↑ Frago, Charlie (October 24, 2010). "Political veteran taking on novice in state auditor race". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Auditor of State - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  32. ↑ Wire, Sarah D. (November 15, 2010). "Service is the focus, says chief of lands". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Wire, Sarah D. (September 6, 2010). "Candidates make similar bid for land agency post". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  34. ↑ "2010-11-02 Land Commissioner Election Results for Arkansas". RightDataUSA.com. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Commissioner of State Lands - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Commissioner of State Lands - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Arkansas State Senate elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Arkansas judicial elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  40. ↑ Rizo, Chris (August 12, 2008). "Arkansas justice to retire". Legal Newsline. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  41. ↑ Blomeley, Seth (September 3, 2008). "Wills given Glaze seat as a justice". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  42. ↑ Rizo, Chris (June 8, 2009). "Ark. appeals court judge runs for Supreme Court seat". Legal Newsline. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  43. ↑ Frago, Charlie (June 10, 2009). "Fogleman to seek Supreme Court seat". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ "State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 3 - Non Partisan Judicial - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  45. ↑ "First woman elected to state's Supreme Court, Imber will retire". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. September 11, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  46. ↑ Lesnick, Gavin (January 12, 2010). "Bowen resigns from court for health reasons". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Sheffield appointed as Arkansas Supreme Court Justice". Talk Business & Politics. January 14, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  48. 1 2 3 Blomeley, Seth (April 26, 2010). "2 judges, 1 lawyer in court race". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  49. ↑ "State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 6 - Non Partisan Judicial - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  50. ↑ "State Supreme Court Associate Justice Position 6 - Certified". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Arkansas 2010 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Arkansas Amendment 1, Right to Hunt, Fish, Trap, and Harvest Wildlife Amendment (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Arkansas Amendment 2, Interest Rate Limits and Government Energy Efficiency Bonds Amendment (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Arkansas Amendment 3, Economic Development Bond Criteria Amendment (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
  55. ↑ "By contest". Arkansas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2026.
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