NORTH LITTLE ROCK— The Governor’s proclamation calling the House District 70 special election is another blatant violation of her statutory requirement to fill vacancies within 150 days which will unconstitutionally leave more than 100,000 Arkansans without a say in the state budget.
Democratic Party Spokesperson Micah Wallace, Resident of House District 70, released the following statement:
“It is absolutely outrageous and infuriating to now be among the 30,000 residents in House District 70 that Sarah Sanders is brazenly depriving of representation in the state legislature. Arkansas Democrats will not stand by as the governor abuses her power and refuses to give Arkansans a voice in the State House.
There are now more than 100,000 Arkansans, myself among them, that Gov. Sanders is silencing and denying representation in the legislature. This is unacceptable and fundamentally wrong. We aren’t simply condemning this proclamation—Democrats will aggressively fight back. We will not rest until Arkansans get the representation they are entitled to in Senate District 26 and House District 70.”
Democratic Party of Arkansas Chair Colonel Marcus Jones (Ret.) said:
“This has gone so far beyond Democrat or Republican; this is about right and wrong. Gov. Sanders is wrong. We refuse to let the governor hide behind pathetic excuses for why she can’t fulfill her constitutional duty to hold a special election and let voters decide. She is imposing taxation without representation, plain and simple, refusing to give Arkansans a say in our state budget that will be decided on in April.”
The governor initially tried to fill the Senate District 26 vacancy 427 days after the vacancy was announced—nearly three times longer than the law allows. Then, only after facing a firestorm of backlash from Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike, she begrudgingly moved up the date. Still, the governor is violating state law by 130 days, arrogantly refusing to fill the vacancy within the mandated timeframe and forcing Arkansans to wait a staggering 280 days for the representation they deserve and are legally entitled to.
Now, she’s attempting to pull this exact same stunt right in the backyard of the Capitol: House District 70, the closest and most competitive state house race in the state according to 2024’s results. The fiscal session begins in April, and Arkansans in House District 70 and Senate District 26 deserve a voice in our state budget.
Timeline of Events
Legal Requirement: Gov. Sanders has 150 days from the vacancy to call a special election (A.C.A. § 7-7-105(a)(3)(A)).
September 19, 2025 (Morning): Gov. Sanders certifies the vacancy in Senate District 26, following the funeral for Sen. Stubblefield.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 (7 PM): Arkansas Democrats notify the governor that we will have a primary election to select our nominee for Senate District 26 and release a statement.
Friday, September 26, 2025 (Morning): Gov. Sanders issues initial proclamation setting special election date 427 days after the seat vacancy.
Friday, September 26, 2025 (Afternoon): Arkansas Democrats issue a statement condemning the proclamation.
Friday, September 26, 2025 (9 PM): Gov. Sanders issues updated proclamation after receiving “feedback” – still sets election date 280 days after vacancy (130 days past the legal deadline)
Saturday, September 27, 2025 (Noon): Arkansas Democrats issue updated statement condemning the revised proclamation.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Carlton Wing resigns, creating a vacancy in House District 70.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 (4 PM): Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders certifies the vacancy in House District 70.
Monday, October 6, 2025 (2:30 PM): Franklin County resident sues the Governor and Secretary of State over unlawful election dates.
Monday, October 6, 2025 (7 PM): Arkansas Democrats vote at our Executive Committee meeting to hold a Democratic primary to select our nominee in House District 70.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 (Noon): Arkansas Democrats release a statement in solidarity with the residents who are filing suit.
Friday, October 10, 2025 (Noon): Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders sets the Special Election Date for House District 70 280 days after vacancy (130 days past the legal deadline), in line with the election for Senate District 26.