Alex Holladay to Face Republican in Special Election for Arkansas House District 70
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North Little Rock, Arkansas – January 7, 2026 – alex Holladay has won the Democratic primary for Arkansas House District 70, setting the stage for a special general election on March 3rd. Holladay will face Republican Bo Renshaw for the seat vacated by Carlton Wing who resigned in September to lead Arkansas TV, the state’s rebranded public television outlet.
Holladay Secures Democratic Nomination
Holladay received 641 of the 805 votes cast, securing nearly 80% of the vote against challenger Cordelia Smith-Johnson of Sherwood according to unofficial results. This victory positions him to compete for the remainder of Wing’s term,which runs through January 2027.
Campaign Platforms and Key Issues
Holladay has centered his campaign on advocating for strong public schools, safe communities, and a healthier future for Arkansas residents. He has been critical of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ policies, notably her focus on building new prisons while perhaps cutting funding for essential health and food services. “We have to hold this off-the-rails and out-of-touch state government accountable,” Holladay stated in a statement following his primary win.
Previous Election and Motivation to Run
Holladay previously ran for the same seat in November 2024,losing to Rep. Wing by a narrow margin of 316 votes. He told the Arkansas Advocate that his decision to run again was fueled by his concerns regarding the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that allows state funds to be used for private school and homeschooling expenses.
Candidate Backgrounds
Holladay currently works as a recruiter for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Smith-Johnson, an Air Force veteran, serves as a prevention coordinator for the army National Guard.
Smith-Johnson’s Response and Future Plans
Despite the loss, Smith-Johnson expressed pride in her campaign and its impact. “Although tonight’s outcome wasn’t what I hoped for, I am immensely proud of the race we ran and the stand we took,” she said in a statement. she also noted that the election ensured the district would have depiction during a critical time. Both Holladay and Smith-Johnson are slated to compete in the regular Democratic primary on March 3rd, wiht the winner facing Renshaw in the November general election for a full two-year term.
Implications for Arkansas House Representation
A Democratic victory in either the March or November election would mark the first time parts of North Little Rock and Sherwood have been represented by a Democrat in the Arkansas House in 12 years. Currently, Republicans hold a important majority with 80 of the 100 seats in the House.