Arkansas's 1st Senate district
| Arkansas's 1st State Senate district | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 District boundaries effective January 9, 2023 | |||
| Senator |
| ||
| Demographics | 67.10% White 24.43% Black 5.57% Hispanic | ||
| Population (2020) | 83,996 −2,048 (−2.38%) deviation from target pop. | ||
Arkansas's 1st Senate district is one of 35 districts in the Arkansas Senate. It has been represented by Republican Ben Gilmore since 2023. Prior to redistricting the district was represented by Republican Bart Hester.
Federal and statewide office results
| Year | Office | Results[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | President | Trump 67.7 – 30.0% |
| 2020 | U.S. Senate | Cotton 73.2 – 26.8% |
| 2018 | Governor | Hutchinson 69.1 – 28.7% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 63.9 – 32.2% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 62.4 – 37.6% |
| 2008 | President | McCain 60.6 – 36.3% |
2022–present
Redistricting
Prior to the 2020 redistricting cycle, the first Senate district was located in Northwest Arkansas. After the 2020 Census, Senate districts were renumbered, with incumbent Republican Bart Hester being redistricted to the new 33rd district. Ben Gilmore of the old 26th district was moved to the new 1st district. Since January 9, 2023, the district has contained the entirety of the counties of Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, and Cleveland, as well as portions of Drew, Grant, Jefferson, and Lincoln.[2]
Election results
2024
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Ben Gilmore (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Ben Gilmore (incumbent) | 22,933 | 77.36% | ||
| Libertarian | Asher Williams | 6,713 | 22.64% | ||
| Total votes | 29,646 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2022
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Ben Gilmore (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Ben Gilmore (incumbent) | 21,580 | 100.00% | ||
| Total votes | 21,580 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2012–2022
Redistricting
Prior to the 2010 redistricting cycle, the first Senate district was located in northern Arkansas. After the 2010 Census, Senate districts were renumbered, with incumbent Republican Johnny Key being redistricted to the new 17th district. James Luker of the old 17th district was moved to the 1st district, but was term-limited. From January 2013 to January 9, 2023, the district contained portions of the counties of Benton and Washington.[3]
Election results
2020
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Bart Hester (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Bart Hester (incumbent) | 36,778 | 64.94% | ||
| Democratic | Ronetta J. Francis | 19,855 | 35.06% | ||
| Total votes | 56,633 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2016
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Bart Hester (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Bart Hester (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2012
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Bart Hester | 4,506 | 53.80% | ||
| Republican | Tim Summers | 3,869 | 46.20% | ||
| Total votes | 8,375 | 100.00% | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Bart Hester | Unopposed | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
2002–2012
Redistricting
From January 2003 to January 2013, the district contained the entirety of the counties of Baxter and Marion in addition to portions of Boone.[4]
Election results
2008
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Johnny Key | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Johnny Key | Unopposed | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2004
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Republican | Shawn Womack (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Shawn Womack (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2002
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Democratic | Joe Dillard | Unopposed | |||
| Republican | Shawn Womack | Unopposed | |||
| General election | |||||
| Republican | Shawn Womack | 14,396 | 53.39% | ||
| Democratic | Joe Dillard | 12,567 | 46.61% | ||
| Total votes | 26,963 | 100.00% | |||
References
- ↑ "AR 2022 State Senate". Dave's Redistricting. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "2021 Senate Boundaries" (PDF). Arkansas Board Of Apportionment. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Variance - Senate Districts" (PDF). ark.org. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20131110022349/http://www.arkansasredistricting.org/maps/Pages/statewideSenateMap2001.aspx