Democrats take eight Pulaski County legislative seats

Pulaski County voters handed Democrats control of eight legislative seats on Tuesday. The results ended the Republican supermajority in the Arkansas House while leaving the Senate largely intact for the GOP.

In the state Senate, Democrat Allison Grigsby Sweatman defeated incumbent Brandon Achor 53 percent to 47 percent. The race filled the seat vacated by term-limited Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock. This win lowered the Republican advantage in the chamber to 28-7, though the GOP retains a supermajority.

In the House, Democrats picked up two new seats and held four incumbents. Andrew Eberly of Sherwood defeated incumbent Karilyn Brown 55.6 percent to 44.4 percent in District 67. Cassandra Mayes won the open District 71 seat 55.4 percent to 44.6 percent, replacing Achor.

Incumbent Democrats also retained their districts. Alex Holladay beat Bo Renshaw 54.6 percent to 45.4 percent in District 70. Ashley Hudson defeated Hunter Sadlerby 61.6 percent to 38.4 percent in District 75.

Joy Springer of Little Rock won District 76 by a wide margin, defeating Isbac Ceja 92.3 percent to 7.6 percent. Denise Ennett also secured re-election in District 80, beating Libertarian Daniel Stuckey 86.5 percent to 13.5 percent.

Rep. David Ray of Maumelle was the only Republican to hold his seat in the county. He defeated Democrat Dean Hunter 60.4 percent to 39.6 percent in District 69. These gains brought the Democratic total in the Arkansas House to 28 seats, giving them enough votes to block budget measures that require a three-quarters majority.