Franklin County Man Wins Ruling in Lawsuit over Delayed Special Election for Senate District 26

MAGA governor hit with stinging ruling over bid to hold seat empty for 8 months

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) got a smackdown from an Arkansas state judge over her plan to hold open a vacant state legislative seat for eight months before holding a special election.According to Law & Crime, Sanders set the special election date to replace Republican state Sen. Gary Stubblefield to June of next year — well past the state law requirement to call it within 150 days of the vacancy."There are 256 days between June 9, 2026, a…

Judge sides with Franklin County man suing governor over delayed date for special election

The court explicitly rejected Gov. Sarah Sanders’ argument that she had unfettered discretion to set the election for whenever she chose.

Franklin County man wins ruling in lawsuit over delayed special election for Senate District 26

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A judge in Pulaski County has backed a Franklin County man’s challenge to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ special election plan for District 26. In an order filed Oct. 22, Judge ruled that Colt Shelby’s petition was granted, requiring the election to be scheduled “as soon as practical” and within 150 days of the vacancy — meaning it must take place before Feb. 23, 2026. During an Oct. 15 hearing, election commiss…

Court rules in favor of Franklin County man challenging timeline for Senate District 26 special election

A Pulaski judge ruled for a quick election to fill Arkansas's District 26 vacancy after a citizen's challenge to Gov. Sanders' timeline.