Arkansas Democrats decry 'taxation without representation' in special election delay

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders scheduled a special election for Arkansas House District 70 on June 9, 2026, leading to strong criticism from Democratic leaders who claim the timeline violates state law and leaves 30,000 residents without representation. The vacancy arose after Rep. Carlton Wing resigned on September 30, 2025, and the governor cited impracticality in organizing the election within the legally required 150 days. This decision follows a similar controversy regarding the special election for Senate District 26, which resulted in a lawsuit. Democrats argue that Sanders' reasoning is unconstitutional and imposes taxation without representation, as they will have no say in the state budget being decided in April.

Col. Marcus Jones, Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, stated that the issue goes beyond partisanship, calling it a matter of right and wrong. The Democratic Party's executive committee voted to hold a primary election for House District 70, highlighting the district's competitiveness after a narrow victory in the 2024 general election. Two candidates, Alex Holladay and Cordelia Smith-Johnson, have announced their plans to seek the nomination. Democrats are determined to advocate for timely representation for voters in District 70.