Result

Republican John Kyle Day won election to Arkansas State House District 94 in the Nov. 3 general election after narrowly defeating Missy Wardlaw in the March 3 Republican primary. Day received 1,221 primary votes, or 51.8%, compared with Wardlaw's 1,134 votes, or 48.2%. His margin was 87 votes, approximately 3.7 percentage points, out of 2,355 votes cast. ​

Day faced no named opponent in the general election. Unofficial results report that he received 6,127 votes, accounting for 100% of the reported candidate vote. The seat was open because incumbent Rep. Jeff Wardlaw (R-AR) did not seek reelection due to term limits.

Candidates and platforms

Day's campaign website says his priorities include protecting the unborn, defending the Second Amendment, strengthening parental involvement in education and promoting economic development. His campaign also emphasizes conservative values, small businesses, local jobs and responsible economic growth. The website describes his support for education reforms that empower parents and strengthen schools.

An Arkansas Advocate report on the District 94 primary said Missy Wardlaw planned to focus on improving health care access, supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth. The report attributed those positions to her campaign website. Wardlaw also served on the Warren YMCA Board of Directors, the Bradley County Museum Board, and the Bradley Medical and Health Foundation Board.

The primary also involved a legal dispute over Wardlaw's eligibility. Day sought to disqualify her, arguing that a 2018 hot-check case made her ineligible for office under the Arkansas Constitution. On Feb. 11, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's ruling allowing Wardlaw to remain on the ballot. The court concluded that Day had not established that she had been convicted of a disqualifying crime.

District and chamber

The race was for Arkansas House of Representatives District 94, which includes portions of Bradley, Desha and Drew counties. Jeff Wardlaw held the seat before the election but could not seek another term because of term limits. Day's election maintains Republican control of the district.

The supplied nationwide state House tally of called winners lists 1,978 Democrats and 1,712 Republicans, a gap of 266. It also lists six winners labeled I, one labeled N and one labeled X. The tally covers only races with a called winner. Those figures have not been independently verified and do not represent the partisan composition of Arkansas' 100-member House of Representatives.

Day and Missy Wardlaw both ran in the March 3 Republican primary, which drew 2,355 votes. Day's 1,221 votes were 87 more than Wardlaw's 1,134, making the primary the decisive contested election for the seat. The March 3 Republican primary results are certified. The Nov. 3 general election has also concluded, with Day reported as the winner and 6,127 votes recorded for him. General election results remain unofficial pending certification.

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