118 Women File to Run from Congress to Prosecuting Attorney

Story is Courtesy of ARPolitics101

LITTLE ROCK – Dec. 18, 2025 – Arkansas is experiencing a surge in women running for office in the Natural State, with 118 candidates filing for the 2026 elections. This marks an increase from 103 in 2024 and 101 in 2022, continuing a steady upward trend in women’s political participation.

While the total number of women candidates is rising, their share of the overall candidate pool has dipped slightly. Women make up 29% of all candidates this year, a small decrease from 31% in 2024. In 2022, just over a quarter of candidates were women, at 26%.

Party Breakdown

Statewide, Democratic women continue to represent a much larger share of their party’s candidates. Over the past three election cycles, women have made up more than 40% of Democratic candidates. In the current cycle, 33 of the 75 Democratic candidates are women, which is 44%. This is slightly higher than in 2024 but lower than the 48% in 2022. Among Republicans, 28 women are running as candidates, accounting for just 19% of the 148 total Republican candidates for 2026 — an increase from 18% last year and 14% in 2022. In nonpartisan judicial races, 50 women make up about 32% of the 175 candidates this year, a slight decrease from 36% in 2024 and 37% in 2022.

Roughly 47% of women who filed are incumbents seeking reelection, with three-fourths running unopposed. Among Democratic incumbents, 11% are women, compared to 29% for Republicans. In judicial and prosecuting attorney races, 60% of incumbents are running again.

This year, Democratic women are competing in 28 races. In three of their nine primaries, multiple women are vying for the same seat. On the Republican side, women are participating in 26 races, including 10 primaries, with two featuring women facing each other. Women are also contesting against each other in six judicial races, two prosecuting attorney contests, and four judgeships.

Key Races to Watch

US Senate

In 2020, Sen. Tom Cotton cruised to re-election with 67% of the vote against a single Libertarian challenger. This time, he’s facing a much tougher field, with two Republicans competing for his seat, including Micah Ashby of Bradford and Jeb Little of Harrison. On the Democratic side, Hallie Shoffner, a sixth-generation farmer from Newport, is attracting a lot of attention, but she must get past Lewisville Mayor Ethan Dunbar in the primary before she can face Cotton or the eventual Republican nominee in November. 

Senate District 15

This open seat in Little Rock is also drawing attention due to its all-women Democratic primary, which includes two candidates with close ties to former seat holders. The candidates are Rep. Tara Shephard, ShaRhonda Love (wife of outgoing Sen. Fred Love), and Charity Smith-Allen (wife of outgoing Rep. Fred Allen). With no Republicans or independents in the race, the primary winner is expected to secure the seat.

House District 24

Two Republican women are competing for the now-open seat currently held by Rep. Brad Hall (R-Rudy), who withdrew his reelection bid after filing. The district includes parts of Crawford and Washington counties. Former representative Charlene Fite of Van Buren, a six-term veteran, is coming out of retirement to face Melissa Koller, a small-business owner from Alma. The winner will move on to challenge Democratic candidate Ryan Inchauspe of Rudy.

House District 35

In Crittenden and Cross counties, the race to replace Rep. Jessie McGruder, who is running for a state Senate seat, features a crowded Democratic field highlighted by three women: IT professional Audrey Willis, school board member Joyce Ann Gray, and former Marion city council member Sherry Holliman. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Robert Thorne Jr. in the general election.

Court of Appeals Associate Judge District, Position 1

Three candidates are competing for the high court seat currently held by Judge Robert Gladwin, who is retiring. State District Court Judge Sarah Capp, representing the 7th Judicial District (Franklin and Johnson counties), will face off against current Court of Appeals Judge Bart Virden of Morrilton, who seeks to move from position 2 to position 1. Prosecuting attorney Brandon Carter of Springdale is also in the race. If no candidate receives a majority of votes on March 3, the top two will advance to a runoff in November.

Prosecuting Attorney, District 11 West

When Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter announced he would not seek another term, four candidates emerged, including two women: Chief Deputy Prosecutor Karres Manning Center and Pine Bluff native attorney Evelyn Moorehead. Both are competing to become the chief public lawyer for Jefferson and Lincoln counties. They are joined by attorney Mirsha King and Deputy Prosecutor Joe West. With such a competitive field, this race will likely go to a runoff in November.

As of March 3, 2026, primary approaches, Arkansans are preparing to cast their votes in pivotal races across the state. With options to vote on Democratic, Republican, or nonpartisan ballots, and with the primary serving as the deciding election for nonpartisan judicial offices, this election will play a crucial role in shaping Arkansas’s future leadership. In contests with crowded fields, the possibility of November runoffs adds to the stakes. Make sure your voter registration is current by checking VoterView at the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website and take part in this important moment for Arkansas democracy.