2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election

The 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Arkansas. Incumbent Republican governor Asa Hutchinson is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term. Arkansas is one of the eight states and one territory of the United States that limit governors to two terms for life in their constitutions, along with California, Delaware, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Oklahoma. The winner of the 2022 gubernatorial election is scheduled to be sworn in on January 10, 2023.

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary (2017–2019) and daughter of former Governor Mike Huckabee^[1]

Republican candidates^[a]

Former White House Press Secretary
Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Potential[]

Davy Carter, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives (2013–2015)^[2]

Withdrew[]

Tim Griffin, Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (2015–present)^[3] (running for Attorney General)
Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas Attorney General (2015–present)^[4] (running for Lieutenant Governor)

Endorsements[]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

U.S. executive branch officials

Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)^[5]
Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States (2017–2021)^[6]

U.S. Senate

John Boozman, Senator from Arkansas (2011–present)^[7]
Tom Cotton, Senator from Arkansas (2015–present)^[7]

U.S. Representatives

Rick Crawford, U.S. Representative from Arkansas's 1st congressional district (2011–present)^[7]
French Hill, U.S. Representative from Arkansas's 2nd congressional district (2015–present)^[7]
Bruce Westerman, U.S. Representative from Arkansas's 4th congressional district (2015–present)^[7]
Steve Womack, U.S. Representative from Arkansas's 3rd congressional district (2011–present)^[7]

State officials

Asa Hutchinson, Governor of Arkansas (2015–present)^[7]
Vernon Jones, former Georgia state representative^[8]

Individuals

Kid Rock, singer, songwriter, rapper, musician, and record producer^[9]

Polling[]

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Leslie Rutledge	Sarah Huckabee Sanders	Undecided
	November 9, 2021	Rutledge withdraws from the race
Remington Research (R)	October 25–26, 2021	800 (LV)	± 3.5%	16%	73%	11%
Hendrix College	May 26–31, 2021	535 (LV)	± 5.5%	35%	43%	22%

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Anthony Bland, public school teacher and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2018^[10]
Chris Jones, executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub^[11]^[12]
James "Rus" Russell, small business owner^[10]^[13]
Supha Xayprasith-Mays, entrepreneur^[14]

Potential[]

Leticia Sanders, hairdresser and candidate for governor in 2018^[15]
Hayden Shamel, public school teacher, chairman of the Garland County Democratic Party, and nominee for Arkansas' 4th congressional district in 2018^[16]

Declined[]

Kelly Krout, candidate for state representative in 2020^[17] (running for Lieutenant Governor)
Greg Leding, state senator (2019–present), former state representative (2011–2019), and former Minority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives (2012–2014)^[18]
Clarke Tucker, state senator (2021–present), former state representative (2015–2019), and nominee for Arkansas' 2nd congressional district in 2018^[19] (running for re-election to the State Senate)

Endorsements[]

Chris Jones

Organizations

314 Action^[20]

Supha Xayprasith-Mays

Governors

Jim Guy Tucker, former Governor of Arkansas (1992–1996)^[21]

Statewide officials

Richard L. Mays, former Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court (1979–1980) (candidate's husband)^[21]^[22]

Libertarian convention[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Ricky Dale Harrington Jr., Christian missionary, prison chaplain, and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020^[23]

Libertarian candidates^[a]

Prison chaplain and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2020
Ricky Dale Harrington Jr.

Independents[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

William E. Gates, senior pastor at the church of Christian Jewish Freedom in Little Rock^[24]

Potential[]

Davy Carter, former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives (2013–2015)^[25]
Jim Hendren, state senator (2013–present), state senate President Pro Tempore (2019–2021)^[26]^[27]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[28]	Solid R	October 5, 2021
Inside Elections^[29]	Solid R	September 29, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[30]	Safe R	September 15, 2021

Polling[]

Hypothetical polling

Generic Republican vs. Generic Democrat

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[b]	Margin of error	Generic Republican	Generic Democrat	Undecided
University of Arkansas	October 12–24, 2021	800 (A)	± 3.5%	46%	21%	34%
University of Arkansas	October 12–24, 2021	555 (LV)	± 4.2%	50%	23%	27%

Notes[]

^ ^a ^b The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.
^ ^a ^b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

References[]

^ "Sarah Sanders Running for Arkansas Governor". Associated Press. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
^ Michael R. Wickline (August 3, 2019). "Arkansas politicians look ahead to 2022 elections". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
^ Brock, Roby (February 8, 2021). "Griffin to exit Governor's race, will seek AG post". Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
^ Brock, Roby (November 9, 2021). "AG Rutledge enters Lt. Governor's race". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
^ Jacob Jarvis (January 26, 2021). "Donald Trump Endorses 'Warrior' Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor". Newsweek.
^ Julia Manchester (March 15, 2021). "Pence endorses Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Arkansas governor". The Hill.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Stimson, Brie (November 13, 2021). "Sarah Sanders snaps up Arkansas endorsements from governor, congressional delegation". Fox News. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
^ Brantley, Max (March 16, 2021). "Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Running for governor everywhere but Arkansas". Arkansas Times. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^ Goldberg, Paul. "BREAKING: Kid Rock backs Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor". News Thud. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Jared, George (March 26, 2021). "Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022". Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved March 29, 2021. James “Rus” Russell has also announced for the Democratic nomination for governor as has Anthony Bland, who ran for Lt. Governor in 2018.
^ Brantley, Max (April 6, 2021). "Meet a candidate for attorney general; with a brother in the wings on the other side". Arkansas Times. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
^ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/chris-jones-nuclear-engineer-political-newcomer-enters-arkansas-governor-s-n1270869
^ Brock, Roby (February 7, 2021). "Political newcomer James Russell to seek Democratic nomination for Governor in 2022". KATV. Talk Business & Politics. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
^ "Supha Xayprasith-Mays announces run for Arkansas governor in 2022". KFSM. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
^ Sanders, Leticia. "About". Facebook. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
^ "Arkansas is ready for a female Governor, but her last name isn't Sanders". Facebook. Hayden for Arkansas. February 19, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
^ "Arkansas mother, foster care advocate announces run for lieutenant governor". KARK. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
^ @GregLeding (January 24, 2021). "This is some excellent company, Kim, and I appreciate it—but it won't be me" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ @ClarkeTucker (January 24, 2021). "Thank you Kim! It's not going to be me. But I do appreciate the support" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ "314 Action Fund Endorses Nuclear Engineer Chris Jones in AR-GOV Race". 314 Action. November 11, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Wickline, Michael (March 27, 2021). "In governor's race, business exec says inclusion a priority". Northwest Arkansas Democratic-Gazette. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
^ "Richard Leon Mays (1943–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
^ Hale, Tyler (April 23, 2021). "Harrington Declares Intent to Seek Arkansas Governor's Office in 2022". Arkansas Money and Politics. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ "William E. Gates joins crowded Arkansas governor's race". Southwest Times Record. July 20, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
^ @DavyCarter (January 9, 2021). "We need independent candidates. The parties are broken. Yes, I may be one" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2020 – via Twitter.
^ Brummett, John (January 31, 2021). "Opinion: The independent path". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^ Brummett, John (July 8, 2020). "2022 leaves 2020 in the dust". Arkansas Online. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links[]

Official campaign websites

[disclaimer-2] The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.

[Key-11] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[1] "Sarah Sanders Running for Arkansas Governor". Associated Press. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

[adgaug3-3] Michael R. Wickline (August 3, 2019). "Arkansas politicians look ahead to 2022 elections". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved January 24, 2021.

[4] Brock, Roby (February 8, 2021). "Griffin to exit Governor's race, will seek AG post". Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved February 8, 2021.

[5] Brock, Roby (November 9, 2021). "AG Rutledge enters Lt. Governor's race". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved November 9, 2021.

[6] Jacob Jarvis (January 26, 2021). "Donald Trump Endorses 'Warrior' Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor". Newsweek.

[7] Julia Manchester (March 15, 2021). "Pence endorses Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Arkansas governor". The Hill.

[fox-8] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Stimson, Brie (November 13, 2021). "Sarah Sanders snaps up Arkansas endorsements from governor, congressional delegation". Fox News. Retrieved November 13, 2021.

[9] Brantley, Max (March 16, 2021). "Sarah Huckabee Sanders: Running for governor everywhere but Arkansas". Arkansas Times. Retrieved March 17, 2021.

[10] Goldberg, Paul. "BREAKING: Kid Rock backs Sarah Sanders for Arkansas Governor". News Thud. Retrieved January 30, 2021.

[seek-12] Jared, George (March 26, 2021). "Supha Xayprasith-Mays to seek Democratic nomination for governor in 2022". Talk Business and Politics. Retrieved March 29, 2021. James “Rus” Russell has also announced for the Democratic nomination for governor as has Anthony Bland, who ran for Lt. Governor in 2018.

[13] Brantley, Max (April 6, 2021). "Meet a candidate for attorney general; with a brother in the wings on the other side". Arkansas Times. Retrieved April 10, 2021.

[14] ttps://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/chris-jones-nuclear-engineer-political-newcomer-enters-arkansas-governor-s-n1270869

[15] Brock, Roby (February 7, 2021). "Political newcomer James Russell to seek Democratic nomination for Governor in 2022". KATV. Talk Business & Politics. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved August 31, 2021.

[16] "Supha Xayprasith-Mays announces run for Arkansas governor in 2022". KFSM. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.

[17] Sanders, Leticia. "About". Facebook. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

[18] "Arkansas is ready for a female Governor, but her last name isn't Sanders". Facebook. Hayden for Arkansas. February 19, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.

[19] "Arkansas mother, foster care advocate announces run for lieutenant governor". KARK. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.

[20] @GregLeding (January 24, 2021). "This is some excellent company, Kim, and I appreciate it—but it won't be me" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[21] @ClarkeTucker (January 24, 2021). "Thank you Kim! It's not going to be me. But I do appreciate the support" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[22] "314 Action Fund Endorses Nuclear Engineer Chris Jones in AR-GOV Race". 314 Action. November 11, 2021.

[Mays1-23] Wickline, Michael (March 27, 2021). "In governor's race, business exec says inclusion a priority". Northwest Arkansas Democratic-Gazette. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

[24] "Richard Leon Mays (1943–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 1, 2021.

[25] Hale, Tyler (April 23, 2021). "Harrington Declares Intent to Seek Arkansas Governor's Office in 2022". Arkansas Money and Politics. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[26] "William E. Gates joins crowded Arkansas governor's race". Southwest Times Record. July 20, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.

[27] @DavyCarter (January 9, 2021). "We need independent candidates. The parties are broken. Yes, I may be one" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2020 – via Twitter.

[28] Brummett, John (January 31, 2021). "Opinion: The independent path". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved January 31, 2021.

[Dust-29] Brummett, John (July 8, 2020). "2022 leaves 2020 in the dust". Arkansas Online. Retrieved August 19, 2020.

[Cook_PR-30] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-31] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-32] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

[1]

[a]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[b]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

v t Elections in Arkansas
General	1932 2006 2010 2014 2018 2020
AR Governor	1862 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1910 1912 1913 S 1914 1916 1918 1922 1926 1930 1932 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
U.S. President	1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
U.S. Senate	Class 2: 1848 S 1853 1859 1870 1876 1883 1885 S 1889 1895 1901 1907 1913 S 1913 1918 1924 1930 1936 1937 S 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 1978 1984 1990 1996 2002 2008 2014 2020 Class 3: 1837 1843 1855 1885 1891 1897 1903 1909 1914 1916 S 1920 1926 1932 S 1932 1938 1944 1950 1956 1962 1968 1974 1980 1986 1992 1998 2004 2010 2016 2022
U.S. House	1853 1854 1856 1858 1860 1868 1870 1872 1874 1876 1878 1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1914 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 (4th S) 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 (6th S) 1962 1964 1966 (4th S) 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
'S,' denotes special election; 'U,' denotes election under Federal (Union) military occupation See also: Political party strength in Arkansas

v t (2021 ←) 2022 United States elections (→ 2023)
U.S. Senate	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Missouri Nevada New Hampshire New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Utah Vermont Washington Wisconsin
U.S. House	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California 22nd sp Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida 20th sp Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Lt. Gov Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Lt. Gov Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico New York Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Lt. Gov U.S. Virgin Islands Vermont Wisconsin Wyoming
Attorneys general	Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Vermont Washington, D.C. Wisconsin
State legislatures	Arizona Senate California Assembly Senate Idaho House Illinois House Senate Indiana House Senate Iowa House Senate Michigan Senate Minnesota Senate Nebraska Nevada Assembly Senate New York Assembly Senate North Carolina House Senate Oklahoma House Senate Pennsylvania House Senate Tennessee Senate Texas Senate Washington House Senate Wyoming House Senate
Mayors	Austin, TX Charlotte, NC Columbia, MO Los Angeles, CA Louisville, KY Oakland, CA Oklahoma City, OK Providence, RI Raleigh, NC San Jose, CA Tallahassee, FL Washington, D.C.
Local	Cook County, IL San Francisco, CA Board of Education (recall) District Attorney (recall) Washington, DC
Statewide	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming