Arkansas Senate
Tom Cotton (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026. The Cook Political Report rates it safe Republican.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Tom Cotton
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 83 of 86 votes and bills.
Raised $7,149,643 since January 2025: 50% from people, 30% transfers and other income, 19% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Hallie Shoffner
Democrat · former rice and soybean farmer from newport, arkansas
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Shoffner, and what Shoffner has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 31. A grade needs 4.
Raised $4,042,811 since January 2025: 98% from people, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Voting in Arkansas: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Hallie Shoffner, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Shoffner, so the grade above comes from this list: what Shoffner has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Said there is no appetite for an expensive, prolonged foreign conflict, speaking about the war with the Islamic Republic.
“There is not the appetite for an expensive, prolonged foreign conflict because we have real problems right here at home”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words name the cost of the war but no policy such as a war powers vote or sanctions, so they do not settle the measure.
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In a statement on her campaign site she called the war in Iran ill-advised.
“the problem is the ill-advised war in Iran, a war Tom Cotton has been openly advocating for since 2015”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling the war ill-advised names no policy, deal, sanctions or vote, so by the end-the-war precedent it settles nothing.
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Her campaign site says she would lift the cap on Social Security contributions for the highest earners.
“I will protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare, lift the contribution cap on the ultra wealthy, reverse the cuts”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Lifting the payroll tax cap is a higher tax on high earners, the against side of this measure.
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Interviewed as head of her farm business, she said every government agency and employer has a responsibility to run DEI programs.
“it is the responsibility of all governmental agencies, employers, buyers, and vendors to be intentional about DEI programs and supplier diversity.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Calling for DEI programs across government is the against side of this measure.
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She testified to an Arkansas House committee against Senate Bill 3, which banned race preferences in state hiring and admissions.
“under the guise of equality, SB3 will make it harder for these groups to succeed in careers as teachers and as public servants”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing a ban on race preferences in state hiring and admissions is the against side of this measure.
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Asked at an Immigrant Heritage Month business expo in Springdale whether she would defund ICE, she said she would.
“I would vote to defund ICE as it exists right now”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Defunding the agency that enforces immigration law is the against side of this measure.
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In September she wrote that she does not want to defund ICE but to reform it.
“I don't want to defund ICE, I want to reform it.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Reform with no change named does not settle whether she would enforce the law or ease it.
Also on the ballot
Jeff Wadlin (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. Race rating: the Cook Political Report, November 2, 2026. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Arkansas Senate
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