Democrats take five Northwest Arkansas House seats

Five Republican incumbents lost their bids for reelection in the Tuesday general election for the Arkansas House of Representatives in Northwest Arkansas. Democrats won all five of those contested districts, according to unofficial results released on November 3. The remaining five contested races were won by incumbents, resulting in a split outcome for the region's legislative representation.

Jacob Allen defeated Mindy McAlindon in District 8 by a margin of 197 votes. Allen received 5,923 ballots, or 50.85 percent of the total, while McAlindon received 5,726 ballots. This district covers parts of Bella Vista, Bentonville, and Centerton in northern Benton County.

In District 11, Rey Hernandez beat Rebecca Burkes by 290 votes. Hernandez secured 3,331 votes, or 52.28 percent, against Burkes' 3,041 votes. The district spans south-central Benton County and north-central Washington County, including portions of Lowell, Rogers, and Springdale.

Mitchell Smith claimed victory in District 13 over Scott Richardson by 805 votes. Smith received 4,446 votes, or 54.98 percent, while Richardson received 3,641 votes. This district is located in Benton County and includes parts of Bentonville and Rogers.

Daniel Holtmeyer defeated John Carr in District 15 by 604 votes. Holtmeyer won 4,280 votes, or 53.8 percent, to Carr's 3,676 votes. The district covers central Rogers. In a separate special election for District 8, Kara Armas won 7,063 votes, or 59.72 percent, to fill the remainder of the 2026 term. Her husband, Brian Armas, runs uncontested for the full 2027-28 term in that same northern Benton County district.

Three incumbents retained their seats in the contested races. Nick Burkes won re-election in District 14 with 5,288 votes, or 51.79 percent, defeating Timothy Heron Jr. Kendon Underwood held his seat in District 16 with 7,304 votes, or 58.26 percent, over Letisha Hinds. Diana Gonzales Worthen won re-election in District 9 with 2,937 votes, or 69.53 percent, defeating Matthew Goff.

Two other incumbents also kept their positions. Kendra Moore won re-election in District 23 with 6,035 votes, or 56.98 percent, defeating independent candidate Laura Marsh. Chad Puryear retained his seat in District 25 with 7,119 votes, or 64.28 percent, defeating Courtney King. The region had no contested races for the Arkansas Senate.

The ten contested House races determined the composition of the legislature for the 2027-28 terms, while the special election addressed a vacancy from a previous term. The results reflect the voting patterns in Benton and Washington counties, where Democrats successfully challenged the Republican majority in five specific districts.